Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
by John S. Adams
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The Project Gutenberg Etext of Town and Country, or, Life at Home and Abroad
by John S. Adams
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BY JOHN S. ADAMS.
BOSTON:
1855.
CONTENTS.
SAVED BY KINDNESS
THE LOVE OF ELINORE
'TIS SWEET TO BE REMEMBERED
I CALL THEE MINE
THE OLD TREE AND ITS LESSON
VOICES FROM THE SPIRIT LAND
THE BEACON LIGHT
BEAR UP
A WELCOME SONG TO SPRING
THE HOPE OF THE FALLEN
THOUGHTS THAT COME FROM LONG AGO
DETERMINED TO BE RICH
THE HEAVEN-SENT, HEAVEN-RETURNED
FLOWERS, BRIGHT FLOWERS
FORGET ME NOT
WHAT IS TRUTH
THE HOMESTEAD VISIT
THE MARINER'S SONG
LOVE'S LAST WORDS
LIGHT IN DARKNESS
MT. VERNON, AND THE TOMB OF WASHINGTON
FREEDOM'S GATHERING
SONG OF THE BIRD
I CHANGE BUT IN DYING
HE IS THY BROTHER
THE WINE-DEALER'S CLERK
ANGELINA
FAREWELL, MY NATIVE LAND
UNLEARNED TO LOVE
WHAT WAS IT?
LETTERS AND LETTER-WRITING
A VISION OF REALITY
JEWELS OF THE HEART
LIGHT FROM A BETTER LAND
POOR AND WEARY
THE BANDBOX MOVEMENT
NEW ENGLAND HOMES
LOVE THAT WANES NOT.
ONWARD COURAGEOUSLY
A FOREST PIC-NIC SONG
THE WARRIOR'S BRIDE
THE ADVENT OF HOPE
CHILD AND SIRE
A BROTHER'S WELCOME
THE IMMENSITY OF CREATION
A VISION OF HEAVEN
THERE'S HOPE FOR THEE YET
SOLILOQUY OVER THE GRAVE OF A WIFE
THE FUGITIVES
THE UNIVERSAL JUBILEE
THE BATTLE OF THE RED MEN
SUNLIGHT ON THE SOUL
A SONG FROM THE ABSENT
TO THE LOVED ONE AT HOME
TWILIGHT FOREST HYMN
THE SUMMER SHOWER
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AN AUTOMATON
TO THE UNKNOWN DONOR OF A BOUQUET
TO A SISTER IN HEAVEN
I DREAMED OF THEE LAST NIGHT, LOVE
THEY TELL OF HAPPY BOWERS
MAN CANNOT LIVE AND LOVE NOT
BETTER THAN GOLD
GONE AWAY
LINES TO MY MIFE
CHEER UP
TRUST THOU IN GOD
THE MINISTRATION OF SORROW
GIVING PUBLICITY TO BUSINESS
THE MISSION OF KINDNESS
A PLEA FOR THE FALLEN
JOY BEYOND
THE SUMMER DAYS ARE COMING
THE MAN WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING
PRIDE AND POVERTY
WORDS THAT TOUCH THE INNER HEART
OUR HOME
SPECULATION AND ITS CONSEQUENCE
RETROSPECTION
NATURE'S FAIR DAUGHTER, BEAUTIFUL WATER
THE TEST OF FRIENDSHIP
WEEP NOT
RICH AND POOR
THE HOMEWARD BOUND
THE POOR OF EARTH
IF I DON'T OTHERS WILL
NOT MADE FOR AN EDITOR
HERE'S TO THE HEART THAT'S EVER BRIGHT
MORNING BEAUTY
THE RECOMPENSE OF GOODNESS
BRIDAL SONGS
THE JUG AFLOAT
GIVE, AND STAY THEIR MISERY
THE SPIRIT OF MAN
PAUSE AND THINK
LITTLE NELLY
WE SHALL ALL BE HAPPY SOON
REUNION
THE VILLAGE MYSTERY
THE WAYSIDE DEATH
BEAUTY AND INNOCENCE
NIGHT
NOT DEAD, BUT CHANGED
THE DISINHERITED
THE SEASONS ALL ARE BEAUTIFUL
SPRING
A TEXT FOR A LIFETIME
NOW CLOSE THE BOOK
SAVED BY KINDNESS.
CHAPTER I.
"THEN you are here!" said a stern, gruff voice, addressing a pale,
sickly-looking youth, whose frame trembled and whose lip quivered as
he approached one who sat at the side of a low pine table;--it was
his master, a man of about forty, of athletic form, and of power
sufficient to crush the feeble youth.
"Well," he continued, "if you are sure that you gave it to him, go
to bed; but mind you, whisper-breathe not the secret to a living
soul, on peril of your life! You may evade my grasp, but like blood
I will track you through life, and add a bitter to your every cup of
sweet."
The lad had no sooner left the room than a man entered, whose
carelessly arranged apparel and excited appearance indicated that
something of vast importance-at least, as far as he was
concerned-burthened his mind.
"Never!" was the bold, unwavering response. "Move a step, and death
shall be thy doom. Seest thou that?" and the speaker drew from his
bosom a richly-mounted pistol.
"Doubtless thou art right," said Harry, in a more calm manner; "the
excitement of the moment urged me to desperation, and, if any but
you had arisen in my path, the glistening steel should have met his
heart. But, Bill, how,--I am confused, my eyes swim,--tell me, how are
we discovered? Must the last act in the great drama of our
fortune-making be crushed in the bud?-and who dare do it?"
"That answer will not do; you must say something more positive."
"That I cannot say, but she is inquisitive, and has been known to
unseal letters committed to her care, by some ingenious way she has
invented. She looked uncommonly wise when she handed it to me and
said, 'Mr. Bang, that's of no small importance to you.'"
"The deuce she did! I fear she deserves the halter," said Harry.
"No, there is too much Caudleism in her to make her worthy of that;
but this is no time for our jokes. Your suspicions are too true; but
how shall we act? what plans shall we adopt?"
"None, Harry, but this;--we must act as though we were the most
honest men on earth, and act not as though we suspected any of
suspecting us."
"O, yes, I understand you, Bill; we must not suspect anything wrong
in her."
"That's it," answered Bill, and, plunging his hand into his pocket,
he drew from thence a small scrap of greasy, pocket-worn paper, and
read a few words in a low whisper to his friend Harry. A nod from
the latter signified his approval. He returned the mysterious
memorandum to his pocket, and planting upon his head a poor, very
poor apology for a hat, swung his body round a few times on his
heel, and leaving the house; pushed open a small wicket-gate, and
entered the street. He hurriedly trudged along, heaping silent
curses upon the head of Harry's boy, the kitchen-girl, and sundry
other feminine and masculine members of the human family not yet
introduced to the reader.
Bold Bill gone, Harry sat for some considerable length of time
ruminating upon the strange turn affairs had taken, and indulging in
vague speculations upon whether the next would be as unfavorable;
and at this point of our story we will divulge somewhat of his
history.
Henry Lang had been in years past a man well-to-do in the world; he
was once a merchant respected for his strict integrity and
punctuality in business affairs; but by a false step, a making haste
to be rich, he was ruined. The great land speculation of '37 and
thereabout was the chief, and in fact the only cause of his
misfortune. On one day he could boast of his thousands, and no paper
held better credit than that signed or endorsed by him. The next,
the bubble broke, his fortune was scattered, his riches took to
themselves wings and flew away, his creditors, like vultures,
flocked around and speedily devoured what little remained of his
once large possessions. He was a man easily affected by such
occurrences, and they deeply wounded his sensitive feelings. What
should he do? He looked around upon those who once professedly loved
him; but no hand was extended, no heart sympathized with him in the
hour of trouble. He left his country, and with it a wife and one
child, a daughter, lovely, if not in personal appearance, in highly
virtuous and intellectual qualities, which, after all, will be
admitted to be of more value than that which time withers and
sickness destroys.
With a sad heart Mr. Lang left these and the spot of earth around
which many fond recollections clustered. After twenty months of
tedious wanderings, he returned, but he was a changed man; his
ambitious spirit had been crushed, all his hopes: had departed, and
he gave himself up to the fanciful freaks of a disordered mind.
Defeated in his honest endeavors to obtain a livelihood, he was now
seeking out dishonest ways and means to retrieve his fallen fortune.
He sought for those of a kindred spirit, nor was he long in finding
such; in a short time he became acquainted, and soon after
connected, with a gang of adventurous men, about six in number, who
by various fraudulent means were each amassing much wealth.
The few words of Julia having been said, a deep silence for some
moments pervaded the room. She sat and gazed up into the face of her
mother, whose tears bore witness to the deep anguish of her soul.
The silence was interrupted by the rising of the latter, who for a
few moments paced the room, and then sank helplessly into a chair.
The attentive child sprang to her relief, a few neighbors were
called in, she was laid upon her bed. That night a severe attack of
fever came upon her; for many days her life was despaired of; but at
length a ray of hope cheered the solitude of the chamber of the
sick, and at the close of six weeks her health was in a great degree
restored.
"Time heals all wounds," is a common saying, true in some cases, but
not in all. Some wounds there are that sink deep in the heart,--their
pain even time cannot remedy, but stretch far into eternity, and
find their solace there. Others there are which by time are
partially healed;--such was that of Mrs. Lang. During her sickness,
many of the little incidents that before had troubled her passed
from her mind. She now yielded submissively to her sad allotment,
believing, as during her sickness she had often been told, that
afflictions come but for our own good, however paradoxical such a
statement might seem to be.
CHAPTER II.
For some time Mr. Henry Lang sat with his head resting upon his
hands, and with them upon the table. Deep silence prevailed, broken
only, at lengthy intervals, by the loud laugh following the merry
jest of some passer-by, or the dismal creaking of the swing-sign of
an adjacent tavern.
How long Mr. Lang might have remained in that position is not for us
to determine. But it would have been much longer, had not a loud rap
at the outer door awakened him from his drowsy condition.
"That is indeed a strange name, and one of which I have never before
heard. Tell me what he has been about."
"Why do you think he has been about anything, or why think you I am
acquainted with his actions?" inquired the stranger, in a stern
voice, as though the supreme majesty of the law represented by him
was not to be spoken lightly of. His scrutinizing features relaxed
not in the least, but he looked our hero steadfastly in the face.
"You are very kind," remarked Harry, suddenly interrupting him, and
speaking rather ironically than otherwise.
"Perfectly."
"Will you walk in?" inquired Mr. Lang, as a sudden gust of wind
nearly extinguished his light.
"Amen!" responded the officer; and, pulling his large, loose cloak
more closely about him, he made a motion to continue on in the
service of his fellow-men.
"But wait, my good man," said Harry. "Am I to suppose, from what you
said, that 'Bold Bill' is the perpetrator of this base crime?"
"Precisely so," was the laconic reply; and the man moved on in
execution of his benevolent designs.
The person thus addressed was not long in discovering who it was
that spoke to him, and from his words and actions that he had reason
to be in some haste. It was he for whom he was in search; and, being
aware that the nature of the case demanded despatch, he cordially
grasped his hand, and, without another word between them, they in a
short time reached the dwelling of Mr. Lang.
"What are the facts now?" inquired Harry, after having narrated the
incident that had occurred since he left, namely, the watchman's
visit.
"I ran off as fast as my legs, urged on by the cry of 'stop thief,'
would carry me. Notwithstanding the speed at which I ran, I found
the crowd bearing down upon me; and, my hope almost failing, I had
resolved to give in and suffer the consequences, when, seeing a dark
lane, I ran into it, then dodged behind a pump. The crowd ran on; I
found I had escaped. Now, Harry, a friendly shake in honor of my
good luck."
"As you say," answered Harry, "and it is my humble opinion you are
not entirely free from change."
"Really, Harry, I don't know what the box contains; however, 't is
confounded heavy. It is full of gold or iron."
"My face for a scrubber, if small change is n't pretty much the
contents; the fourpences and dimes lie pretty near together, friend
Bill." "But," continued Harry, "'t is best to secrete yourself, box
and all, till the law dogs are silenced. If they come here, I will
throw them a bone; but hark!-"
"To the closet," whispered Harry; and in a moment Mr. Lang was the
only occupant of the room. He was right in his supposition; for the
door opened; and the same man, in the same cloak, with the same
consequential air, accompanied by others, entered abruptly, and
interrogated Harry rather closely. "Positively, I know nothing about
him," said Mr. Lang. This declaration seemed to have a wonderful
effect upon each of the officers. They gazed steadfastly at him,
then at each other, and their features indicated their belief in
what he said.
The night was dark; the hour late, and no persons stirring. Softly
he crept beneath the window, and, perceiving none in the room but
Harry, softly tapped the glass. Mr. Lang raised his arm, by which
signal Bill understood that he was aware of his having left the
closet. Then through back lanes, seldom pedestrianated, and narrow
passages, he wended his way, with his stolen treasure closely held
beneath the loose folds of his jacket. He passed on, till, reaching
a dark street, he beheld a dim light in a low oyster-cellar; he
entered. A black fellow was the proprietor, cook, &c. Bill asked for
lodgings.
"Well, massa, dem I 'ave; but I always take pay in advance from
gemmen."
'T was near the dawn of day when, from his house, accompanied by the
boy, Mr. Lang passed out in search of Bill. A light rain was
falling, and in perspective he saw a dull, drizzly sort of a day,--a
bad air for a low-spirited individual. The "blues" are contagious on
such a day. Yet he strove to keep his spirits up, and to make the
best of a bad job.
"It would be very sad if the rascal could not be found," continued
Mr. Lang. "The gallows is too good for one who would make such a
cowardly attack, and treat with such baseness one who never harmed
his fellow."
"I am of your opinion," answered the broker; and the two, having
thus fully expressed their opinion, parted.
Mr. Lang was not much troubled in finding his companion. He entered
the cellar just as the latter had arisen from his chesty couch, and
a cordial grasp of the hand bore witness that friends had met.
Both were aware that the place in which they were was not of very
good repute, and made all possible haste to remove. But, to effect
this successfully, it was necessary that Mr. Lang should have a
change of dress.
They were now both in custody, and the officers, after a little
search, discovered the broken box, and arrested the black man.
CHAPTER III.
"Didst thou ever hear that promise, 'God will provide'? inquired a
pale, yet beautiful girl, as she bent over the form of a feverish
woman, in a small, yet neatly-furnished room.
"Yes," was the reply; "and he who allows not a sparrow to fall
unnoticed, shall he not much more care for us? Yes, Julia, God will
provide. My soul, trust thou in God!"
It was Mrs. Lang. The good lady who had befriended her was suddenly
taken ill, and as suddenly died. Mrs. Lang, with her daughter, left
the house, and, hiring a small room at an exorbitant rent,
endeavored, by the use of her needle, to live. She labored hard; the
morning's first light found her at her task, and midnight's silent
hour often found her there. The daughter too was there; together
they labored, and together shared the joys and sorrows of a worse
than widowed and orphaned state. Naturally of a feeble constitution,
Mrs. Lang could not long bear up under that labor, and fell. Then
that daughter was as a ministering angel, attending and watching
over her, and anticipating her every want. Long was she obliged to
labor to provide the necessaries of life; often working hard, and
receiving but ten to fifteen cents a day for that which, if paid for
as it should be, would have brought her a dollar. It was after
receiving her small pittance and having returned to her home, that
the words at the commencement of this chapter fell from her lips.
Her mother, with deep solicitude, inquired her success.
"He says he can get those duck trousers made for three cents, and
that, if I will not make them for that, he can give me no more work.
You know, mother, that I work eighteen hours of the twenty-four, and
can but just make two pair,--that would be but six cents a day."
"My child," said the mother, rising with unusual strength, "refuse
such a slavish offer. Let him not, in order to enrich himself, by
degrees take your life. Death's arrows have now near reached you. Do
not thus wear out your life. Let us die!"
She would have said more; but, exhausted by the effort, she sank
back upon her pillow. Then came the inquiry, "Didst thou ever hear
that promise, 'God will provide'?"
The question had been put, and the answer given, when a slight rap
at the door was heard. Julia opened it; a small package was hastily
thrust into her hand, and the bearer of it hasted away. It was a
white packet, bound with white ribbon, and with these words, "Julia
Lang," legibly written upon it. She opened it; a note fell upon the
floor; she picked it up, and read as follows:
Enclosed you will find four five-dollar bills. You are in want; use
them, and, when gone, the same unknown hand will grant you more.
"I write because Mr. Lang was a friend of mine in his days of
prosperity. I know he has no heart for dishonesty; but, thinking
himself deserted by those who should cling to him, he madly resolved
to give himself up, and follow where fate should lead. Yours, truly,
"CHARLES B--.
N.B. Others have also spoken with him; but their appeals have been
in vain. If you will be at the corner of L--avenue and W--street,
at three o'clock to-day, a carriage will be in readiness to convey
you to his presence. C. B.
Anxiously did Mrs. Lang watch the features of her child as she stood
perusing the letter; and as she sat down with it unfolded,
apparently in deep thought, her inquisitiveness increased. She
inquired-she was told all. "Go," said she to her daughter, "and may
the blessings of Heaven attend you!"
Julia stood wondering. She had doubted before; she feared it might
be the scheme of some base intriguer; but now her doubts vanished,
and hope cheered her on.
Long seemed the intervening hours, and many were the predictions
made concerning the success of her mission; yet she determined to
go, in the spirit of Martin Luther, though every stone in the prison
should arise to persecute her.
The appointed hour came, and, letter in hand, she left her room, and
repaired to the spot. There she found a carriage; and the driver,
who, it appeared, was acquainted with her, inquired whether she
desired to go to--street jail. Replying in the affirmative, she
entered, and the carriage drove off. When she had reached the
street, and came in full view of the prison, her timidity almost
overcame her; but, recollecting the object she had in view, she
resisted a desire that involuntarily arose to return.
"He is;--another feast for the lion, eh?" and the keeper, who had
more self-assurance than manners, having laughed at his own
nonsense, pulled a bell-cord, and the warden appeared.
"The gentleman who came this morning to see Mr. Lang wished me to
bring this young lady here, and introduce her to you as Mr. Lang's
daughter." Having said this, the hack-man let down the steps, and
aided her out. The gate-keeper retired into a sort of sentry-box,
and amused himself by peeping over the window-curtain, laughing very
immoderately when anything serious was said, and sustaining a very
grave appearance when anything having a shade of comicality
occurred.
The warden very politely conducted Julia into his office, and soon
after into the jail. It was a long building inside of a building,
with two rows of cells one above the other, each numbered, and upon
each door a card, upon which was written, in characters only known
to the officers of the prison, the prisoner's name, crime, term of
imprisonment, and general conduct whilst confined.
As Mr. Lang was waiting trial, he was not in one of these cells, but
in one of large dimensions, and containing more conveniences.
As they entered, he was seated at a small table, with pen, ink and
paper, engaged in writing. He did not at first recognize his child,
but in a moment sprang to her, and clasping her in his arms, said,
"My child."
After being committed to prison, his first thought was upon the
change of his condition from what it formerly was; and his first
resolution was to reform. He thought of the deep plots he and his
companion had laid to amass a fortune; but, supposing that the
latter would be convicted, and condemned to serve a long time in
confinement, he concluded that that scheme was exploded.
Such were the sincere thoughts of Mr. Lang. He would return, but
none stood by to welcome him. A few had visited him, most of whom
had severely reflected upon his misdeeds. They opened a dark
prospect for him in the future. "Now," said they, "you must here
remain; receive retribution for your evil deeds, and a sad warning
to others not to follow in your steps, lest they arrive at the same
goal." Was there encouragement in this? Surely not; he deemed them
not the words of friendship, and he was right in his judgment.
"Why did you visit this dark prison?" inquired Mr. Lang.
"And could you forgive your father? How could you seek him, when he
forsook you?" Mr. Lang could not make this last observation without
becoming affected even to tears.
She could say no more; yet her actions spoke louder than words could
possibly do, and her imploring attitude went home to the heart of
her parent. He, for the first time since the commencement of his
wayward course, felt that the hand of sympathy was extended to greet
him, should he make a motion to return. And why should he not grasp
it? He did. There, in that prison-cell, upon his knees, he promised
to repent and return.
Mr. Legrange had just opened an evening paper, when a light rap at
his counting-house door induced him to lay it aside. Opening it, a
young woman inquired if Mr. Legrange was in.
Julia was rejoiced that she was recognized. She had not spoken to
Mr. Legrange since her father's failure in business; previous to
that sad occurrence she had known him personally, yet she scarcely
thought he would know her now.
"Thank God for that!" said Mr. Legrange. "It is one of the blessings
of this life to hope for better days."
"He has reformed," continued Miss Lang, "yet he may be led back
unless he gets steady employment; and I heard that--"
With many sincere thanks, Julia left the room; her heart overflowed
with gratitude to the Giver of all things. She saw his hand and felt
his presence.
It was well that Mr. Legrange was about to leave the city, as Mr.
Lang's examination was to be had the next day, and Mrs. Lang and her
daughter confidently expected he would be acquitted.
The morrow came; the examination began and terminated as they had
expected. William Bang was remanded back to prison to await his
trial for robbery. Mr. Lang was acquitted, and, joining a company of
friends whom Julia had collected, left for the residence of his
family.
What a meeting was that! Angels could but weep for joy at such a
scene, and drop their golden harps to wipe away their tears of
gladness. Long had been their separation. What scenes had the
interval disclosed! And how changed were all things! She was in
health when he left, but now in sickness; yet it was not strange.
That day was the happiest he had spent for many months, and he
rejoiced that an angel of light, his daughter, had sought him out.
She had been, indeed, a ministering spirit of good to him, and in
the happy scene then around her she found her reward,--O, how
abundant!
With a light and joyous step did Henry Lang repair to the store of
Mr. Legrange. The sun's rays were just peering over the house-tops,
and he thought that he, like that sun, was just rising from
degradation to assume new life, and put forth new energy.
We need not lengthen out our the by narrating what there ensued. He
that day commenced his clerkship, and to this day holds it. He often
received liberal donations from his employer in token of his regard
for him, and by way of encouraging him in his attempts to regain his
lost fortune.
Having said this, he left, waiting not to receive the thanks that
grateful hearts desired to render him.
And now, reader, our story is ended. If you have followed us thus
far, neglect not to receive what we have faintly endeavored to
inculcate; and ever remember, while treading life's thorny vale,
that "a kind word is of more value than gold or precious stones."
YES, ever such I'll call thee, will ever call thee mine,
And with the love I bear thee a wreath of poesy twine;
And when the stars are shining in their bright home of blue,
Gazing on them, thou mayest know that I like them are true.
Forget thee! no, O, never! thy heart and mine are one.
How can the man who sees its light forget the noonday sun?
Or he who feels its genial warmth forget the orb above;
Or, feeling sweet affection's power, its source-another's love?
Go, ask the child that sleepeth upon its mother's breast
Whether it loves the pillow on which its head doth rest;
Go, ask the weary mariner, when the dangerous voyage is o'er,
Whether he loves the parent's smile that meets him at the door:
But ask not if I love thee when I would call thee mine,
For words are weak to tell thee all, and I the task resign;
But send thy spirit out for love, and when it finds its goal,
'T will be encircled and embraced within my deepest soul.
Listen.
Many, very many years ago,--there were forests then where now are
cities, and the Indian song was borne on that breeze which now bears
the sound of the Sabbath bell, and where the fire of the work-shop
sends up its dense, black smoke, the white cloud from the Indian's
wigwam arose,--yes, 't was many years ago, when, by the door of a
rough, rude, but serviceable dwelling, a little boy sat on an old
man's knee. He was a bright youth, with soft blue eyes, from which
his soul looked out and smiled, and hair so beautiful that it seemed
to be a dancing sunbeam rather than what it really was.
The old man had been telling him of the past; had been telling him
that when he was a child he loved the forest, and the rock, and the
mountain stream.
Then he handed the lad a small, very small seed, and, leading him a
short distance, bade him make a small hole in the ground and place
the seed within it. He did so. And the old man bent over and kissed
his fair brow as he smoothed the earth above the seed's
resting-place, and told him that he must water it and watch it, and
it would spring up and become a fair thing in his sight.
'Twas hard for the child to believe this; yet he did believe, for he
knew that his friend was true.
Night came; and, as he lay on his little couch, the child dreamed of
that seed, and he had a vision of the future which passed with the
shades of the night.
Morning dawned, and he hastened to water and to watch the spot where
the seed was planted.
It had not come up; yet he believed the good old man, and knew that
it would.
All day long he was bending over it, or talking with his aged
companion about the buried seed.
A few days passed, then a little sprout; burst from the ground; and
the child clapped his hands, and shouted and danced.
Daily it grew fairer in the sight of the child, and rose higher and
higher. And the old man led him once more to the spot, and told him
that even so would the body of his little sister rise from the grave
in which a short time before it hid been placed, and, rising higher
and higher, it would never cease to ascend.
The old man wept; but the child, with his tiny white hand, brushed
away his tears, and, with child-like simplicity, said that if his
sister arose she would go to God, for God was above.
Then the mourner's heart was strengthened, and the lesson he would
have taught the child came from the child to him, and made his soul
glad.
The child wept; but, remembering the good friend's lesson, he wiped
away his tears, and wept no more; for the seed had already become a
beautiful plant, and every day it went upward, and he knew that,
like that, his sister and his good friend would go higher and higher
towards God.
Days, weeks, months, years passed away. The plant had grown till it
was taller than he who had planted it.
Years fled. The child was no more there, but a young man sat beneath
the shade of a tree, and held a maiden's hand in his own. Her head
reclined on his breast, and her eyes upturned met the glances of his
towards her, and they blended in one.
"I remember," said he, "that when I was young a good old man who is
now in heaven, led me to this spot, and bade me put a little seed in
the earth. I did so. I watched the ground that held it, and soon it
sprang up, touched by no hand, drawn forth, as it would seem, from
its dark prison by the attractive power of the bright heaven that
shone above it. See, now, what it has become! It shades and shelters
us. God planted in my heart a little seed. None but he could plant
it, for from him only emanates true love. It sprang up, drawn forth
by the sunlight of thy soul, till now thou art shadowed and
sheltered by it."
There was silence, save the rustle of the leaves as the branches
bowed assent to the young man's words.
Time drove his chariot on; his sickle-wheels smote to earth many
brave and strong, yet the tree stood. The winds blew fiercely among
its branches; the lightning danced and quivered above and around it;
the thunder muttered forth its threatenings; the torrent washed
about its roots; yet it stood, grew strong and stately, and many a
heart loved it for its beauty and its shade.
The roll of the drum sounded, and beneath a tree gathered crowds of
stalwart men. There was the mechanic, with upturned sleeves and
dusty apron; the farmer, fanning himself with a dingy straw hat; the
professional man and trader, arguing the unrighteousness of
"taxation without representation."
Another roll of the drum, and every head was uncovered as a young
man ascended a platform erected beneath the tree. In a soft, low
voice, he began. As he proceeded, his voice grew louder, and his
eloquence entranced his auditors.
"Years ago," said he, "there were an old man and a young child. And
the child loved the man, and the man loved the child, and taught him
a lesson. He took him by the hand, and, leading him aside, gave him
a seed and told him to plant it. He did so. It sprang up. It became
mighty. Independent it stood, sheltering all who came unto it. That
old man went home; but here stands the child, and here the tree,
great and mighty now, but the child has not forgotten the day when
it was small and weak. So shall the cause we have this day espoused
go on; and though, to-day, we may be few and feeble, we shall
increase and grow strong, till we become an independent nation, that
shall shelter all who come unto it."
The speaker ceased, and immediately the air resounded with loud
shouts and huzzas.
An old man lay dying. Around his bedside were his children and his
children's children.
"Remove the curtain," said he. "Open the window. Raise me, and let
re see the sun once more."
"See you yonder tree? Look upon it, and listen. I was a child once,
and I knew and loved an old man; and he knew me and loved me, and he
led me aside, placed in my hand a tiny seed, and bade me bury it in
the earth, and I did so. Night came, with its shade and its dew;
day, with its sunshine and its showers. And the seed sprang
up,--but the old man died. Yet, ere he went, he had taught me the
lesson of that seed, which was, that those who go down to the earth
like that, will arise, like that, towards heaven. You are looking
upon that tree which my friend planted. Learn from it the lesson it
hath taught me."
The old man's task was performed, his life finished, and the
morrow's light lit the pathway of many to his grave. They stood
beneath the shadow of that tree; and deeply sank the truth in every
heart as the village pastor began the burial service and read, "I am
the resurrection and the life."
THE BEACON-LIGHT.
DIMLY burns the beacon-light
On the mountain top to-night;
Faint as whisper ever fell,
Falls the watcher's cry,--"All's well;"
For the clouds have met on high,
And the blast sweeps angry by;
Not a star is seen this night,--
God, preserve the beacon-light!
Lo! a man whom age doth bow
Wanders up the pathway now;
Wistfully his eye he turns
To the light that dimly burns;
And, as it less glow doth shed,
Quicker, quicker is his tread;
And he prays that through the night
God may keep the beacon-light.
Far below him, rocks and waves
Mark the place of others' graves;
Other travellers, who, like him,
Saw the beacon-light burn dim.
But they trusted in their strength
To attain the goal at length;--
This old traveller prays, to-night,
"God, preserve the beacon-light!"
Fainter, fainter is its ray,--
Shall its last gleam pass away?
Shall it be extinguished quite?
Shall it burn, though not as bright?
Fervently goes up his prayer;
Patiently he waiteth there,
Trusting Him who doeth right
To preserve the beacon-light.
Look you now! the light hath burst
Brighter than it was at first;
Now with ten-fold radiance glows,
And the traveller homeward goes.
As the clouds grow darker o'er him,
Brighter grows the light before him;
God, who doeth all things right,
Hath preserved the beacon-light.
Thus upon the path we tread
God a guiding light hath shed;
Though at times our hearts are weary,
Though the path we tread is dreary,
Though the beacon's lingering ray
Seems as if 't would pass away,--
Be our prayer, through all the night,
"God, preserve the beacon-light!"
Threatening clouds may gather o'er us,
Countless dangers rise before us:
If in God we seek for strength,
He will succor us at length:
He his holy light will send,
To conduct us to the end.
Trust thy God, through day and night,
He'll preserve thy beacon-light.
BEAR UP.
CHAPTER I.
Not far distant, rearing its clear white steeple far above the
trees, stood the village church, up the broad, uncarpeted aisle of
which he had scores of times passed; and, as the thought that he
might never again enter those sacred walls came to his mind, a tear
glistened in his eye that he could not rudely wipe away.
Next was the cot of the pastor. He had grown old in the service of
his Master, and the frosts of nearly three-score winters rested
their glory upon his head. All loved and respected him, for with
them he had wept, and with them he had rejoiced. Many had fallen
around him; withered age and blooming youth he had followed to the
grave; yet he stood forth yet, and, with clear and musical voice,
preached the truths of God.
An old gray building, upon whose walls the idler's knife had carved
many a rude inscription, was the village school. There, amid those
carvings, were seen the rough-hewn initials of many a man now
"well-to-do in the world." Some, high above the rest, seemed as
captains, and almost over-shadowed the diminutive ones of the little
school-boy, placed scarce thirty inches from the ground.
Edward was a pet among the villagers. He had taken the lead in all
the frolickings, and many a bright-eyed lass would miss his
presence, and loud, clear laugh, at the coming "huskings."
Young and old reluctantly bade him "good-by," and, as the stage
wound its circuitous way from the village, from many a heart
ascended a prayer that He who ruleth over all would prosper and
protect him.
"Good luck to him, God bless him!" said dame Brandon, as she entered
the house. "He was always a kind, well-meant lad," she continued,
"and dame Brandon knows no evil can befall him; and Emily, my dear,
you must keep your eye on some of the best fruit of the orchard, for
he will be delighted with it, and much the more so if he knows your
bright eyes watched its growth and your hands gathered it."
The parents of Edward had died when he was quite young, and he,
their only child, had been left to the care and protection of dame
Brandon; and well had she cared for him, and been as a mother to the
motherless.
"Now, Emi', don't fret! Edward won't forget you. I've known him
long; he has got a heart as true as steel."
'T was not this that made her sad. She had no fears that he would
forget his Emi', but another thought pressed heavily on her mind,
and she said,
"Well done!" quoth Mrs. B., looking over her glasses; "a sermon,
indeed, quite good for little you. But girls are timid creatures;
they start and are frightened at the least unusual sound." She
assumed a more serious manner, and, raising her finger, pointing
upwards, said, "But know you not there is a Power greater than that
of which you speak?"
Emily Brandon was a lovely creature, and of this Edward Dayton was
well aware. He had spent his early days with her. His most happy
hours had been passed in her company. Together they had frolicked
over the green fields, and wandered by their clear streams. Hours
passed as minutes when in each other's company; and, when separated,
each minute seemed an hour.
Now, for the first time, they were separated; and ever and anon, as
she passed about at her work, she cast a fitful glance from the
window, as if it were possible he might return.
How she wished she could have gone with him, to gently chide when
sinners should entice, and lead him from error's path, should gay
temptation lure him therein! She was young in years, yet old in
discretion; and had a heart that yearned for the good of all.
"Well, aunt," said she, "I hope good luck will betide him, but sad
thoughts will come when I think of what he will have to bear up
under."
"O, hush!" said the old lady; "simple girls have simple stories."
CHAPTER II.
It was a late hour in the evening that the coach entered the
metropolis. Railroads were not then in vogue, and large
baggage-waggons, lumbering teams and clumsy coaches, were drawn by
two or more horses, over deep-rutted roads, and almost endless
turnpikes.
The bells had-rang their nine o'clock peal; most of the stores were
closed; the busy trader and industrious mechanic had gone to their
respective homes, and left their property to faithful watchers,
whose muffled forms moved slowly through the streets of the great
city.
Not all had left their work; for, by the green and crimson light
that streamed from his window, and served to partially dissipate the
darkness, it was seen that he of pestle and mortar labored on, or,
wearied with his labor, had fallen asleep, but to be awakened by the
call of some customer, requesting an antidote for one of the many
"ills which flesh is heir to."
Other open places there were, whose appearance indicated that they
were bar-rooms, for at their windows stood decanters filled with
various-colored liquids. Near each of these stood a wine-glass in an
inverted position, with a lemon upon it; yet, were not any of these
unmistakable signs to be seen, you would know the character of the
place by a rumseller's reeling sign, that made its exit, and,
passing a few steps, fell into the gutter.
The coach rolled on, and in a short time Edward was safely ensconced
in a neatly-furnished room in a hotel known as "The Bull's Horn." It
was indeed a great disadvantage to him that he came to a city in
which he was a total stranger. He had no acquaintance to greet him
with a friendly welcome; and the next day, as he was jostled by the
crowd, and pushed aside by the hurried pedestrian, he realized what
it was to be a stranger in a strange land, and an indescribable
sensation came upon him, known only to those who have been placed in
similar circumstances.
The landlord of the tavern at which our hero had housed himself was
a stout, burly man, and quite communicative. From him Edward learned
much of importance. Mr. Blinge was his name. He was an inveterate
smoker, and his pet was a little black pipe, dingy and old, and by
not a few deemed a nuisance to "The Bull's Horn." This he held
between his teeth, and, seating himself behind his bar, puffed away
on the high-pressure principle.
Edward had not been many minutes in his room before Mr. Blinge
entered with his pet in his mouth, hoped he did n't intrude,
apologized, and wished him to walk below, saying that by so doing he
might become acquainted with some "rare souls."
"I also am from the country," said he, after Edward had informed him
of his history, "and, like you, am in search of employment. Looking
over the evening paper, I noticed an advertisement of a concern for
sale, which I thought, as I read, would be a capital chance to make
a fortune, if I could find some one to invest in it with me. I will
read it to you.
"Now, I tell you what," said the young man, before Edward had an
opportunity to utter a word, "it is a fine chance. Why, Lagrange
makes enough on his wines and fancy cordials to clothe and feed a
regiment. Just pass there, some evening, and you will see a perfect
rush. Soda-water, ice creams, and French wines, are all the rage,
and Lagrange is the only man in this city that can suit the bon
ton!"
CHAPTER III.
The next morning the sun shone bright and clear in a cloudless sky,
and all were made joyous by its gladsome rays.
It was near nine when Othro and Edward found themselves on the way
to the confectioner's. Edward was glad on account of finding one
whom he thought he could trust as a friend, and congratulated
himself on his good luck.
Near the head of Cresto-street might have been seen, not many years
since, over the door of a large and fashionable store, a sign-board
bearing this inscription: "M. Lagrange, Confectioner and Dealer in
Wines and Cordials." We say it was "large and fashionable;" and
those of our readers who recollect the place of which we speak will
testify to the truth of our assertion.
"Why, if I was his wife," said another, "I'd whip him into my
traces, I would; an' he shouldn't sell out unless I was willin',--no,
he shouldn't! Only think, Miss Fitzgabble, how handy those wines
would be when one has a social soul step in!"
"O yes," replied Miss Fitzgabble, "and those jars of lozenges! How
enchantingly easy to elevate the lid upon a Sabbath morn, slip in
one's hand, and subtract a few! How I should smell of sassafras, if
I was Mrs. Lagrange!"
The ladies passed on, and were soon out of hearing. Edward and his
companion entered the store, where about a dozen ladies and
gentlemen were seated, discussing the fashions, forging scandal, and
sipping wine.
Mr. Lagrange was actively engaged when the two entered; but, seeing
them, and supposing them to have called on the business for which
they actually had called, he called to one of the attendants to fill
his place, and entered into conversation with Messrs. Dayton and
Treves, which in due time was terminated, they agreeing to call
again the next day.
First impressions are generally the most lasting. Those Edward and
Othro received during their visit and subsequent conversation were
favorable to the purchase.
On their return they consulted together for a long time, and finally
concluded to go that day, instead of waiting till the next, and make
Mr. Lagrange an offer of which they had no doubt he would accept.
The return of the young men was not altogether unexpected by Mr.
Lagrange. He was ready to receive them. He set before them his best
wines. They drank freely, praised the wine, and extolled the store,
for they thought it admirably calculated to make a fortune in.
Mr. Lagrange imparted to them all the information they desired. They
made him an offer, which he accepted, after some thought; and
arrangements were entered into by which Messrs. Dayton and Treves
were to take possession on the morning of the following Monday.
CHAPTER IV.
For this all hope, yet the experience of thousands shows that few,
very few, ever realize it. On the contrary, disappointment, in its
thousand malignant forms, starts up on every hand; yet they struggle
on, and in imagination see more prosperous days in the future. Thus
they hope against hope, till the green sod covers their bodies, and
they leave their places to others, whilst the tale is told in these
few words: "They lived and died."
The next Monday the citizens were notified, by the removal of his
old sign, that Mr. Lagrange had retired from business. During the
day, many of Mr. Lagrange's customers came in, that they might
become acquainted with the successors of their old friend. To these
Messrs. Dayton and Treves were introduced, and from them received
promise of support.
A colored man, who had been for a long time in the employ of Mr.
Lagrange, was retained in the employ of the store. Ralph Orton was
his name. He having been for a long time in the store, and during
that time having had free access to the wines, had formed an
appetite for them, in consequence of which he was often intoxicated.
His inebriation was periodical, and not of that kind whose subjects
are held in continual thraldom; yet, to use his own words, "when he
was drunk, he was drunk, and no mistake." He obeyed the old
injunction of "what is worth doing is worth doing well," and as long
as he got drunk he got well drunk.
He had ofttimes been reasoned with in his days of soberness, and had
often promised to reform; but so many around him drank that he could
not resist the temptation to drink also, and therefore broke his
promise. This habit had so fastened itself upon him, that, like one
in the coil of the serpent, the more he strove to escape the closer
it held him.
Perchance some one in pity may bestow a small sum upon him. Utterly
regardless of the fact that his wife and children are at home
shivering over a few expiring embers that give no warmth, without a
crumb to appease their hunger, and although he himself a moment
before believed that if aid did not come speedily he must perish, he
hastens to the nearest groggery, and, laying down his money, calls
for that which has brought upon him and his such woe.
If there is any scene upon earth over which demons joy, it must be
when that rumseller takes that money.
"What say you for an evening at the theatre?" said Othro, one
evening, as they were passing from their place of business, having
left it in care of their servants. "At the Gladiate the play is
'Hamlet,' and Mr. Figaro, from the old Drury, appears."
Edward had been educated in strict puritanic style, and had been
taught to consider the theatre as a den of iniquity. It is not our
purpose to defend or oppose this opinion. It was his, and he freely
expressed it. In fact, his partner knew it to be such before making
the request.
"I suppose," said Mr. Treves, "you oppose the theatre on account of
the intoxicating drinks sold there. Now, I am for a social drop
occasionally. Edward, a glass of pure 'Cogniac,' a nice cigar, and a
seat in front of a grate of blazing coal, and I'll be joyful."
"You may be joyful, then," replied Mr. Dayton; "but your joy might
be changed to grief, and your buoyancy of spirit be turned to
sadness of heart."
"Not so; you are mistaken, Othro," said he. "There," he continued,
pointing to a reeling sot that passed them, "ask that man where he
first went for joy, and he may tell you of the theatre, or of social
glasses of brandy, cigars, and such like."
All was activity. Hackmen snapped their whips. Boys, ragged and
dirty, were waiting for the time when "checks" would circulate, and,
in fact, were in much need of checks, but those of a different
nature from those they so eagerly looked for.
Anon, the crowd gathered closer; and the prospect of a fight put the
boys in hysterics of delight, and their rags into great commotion.
To their sorrow, it was but the shadow of a "row"; and they kicked
and cuffed each other, in order to express their grief.
CHAPTER V.
The "tavern" at which our hero boarded was of the country, or,
rather, the colony order of architecture,--for piece had been added
to piece, until what was once a small shed was now quite an
extensive edifice.
As was the case with all taverns in those days, so also with
this,--the bar-room was its most prominent feature. Mr. Blinge, the
landlord, not only smoked, but was an inveterate lover of raw
whiskey, which often caused him to perform strange antics. The fact
that he loved whiskey was not strange, for in those days all drank.
The aged drank his morning, noon and evening potations, because he
had always done so; the young, because his father did; and the
lisping one reached forth its hands, and in childish accents called
for the "thugar," and the mother, unwilling to deny it that which
she believed could not harm it, gave.
Those were the days when seed was being sown, and now the harvesting
is in progress. Vain were it for us to attempt its description; you
will see it in ruined families, where are gathered blasted hopes,
withered expectations, and pangs, deep pangs of untold sorrow.
The child indulged has become a man, yet scarce worthy of the name;
for a habit has been formed that has sunken him below the brute, and
he lives not a help, but a burden, not a blessing, but a curse, to
his fellow-men.
His name was "Pump." Barrel, or bottle, would have been more in
accordance with his character; but, as the old Pump had not
foresight enough to see into the future, he did not know that he was
inappropriately naming his son.
Every Pump must have its handle, on the same principle that "every
dog must have his day." The handle to the Pump in question was a
long one; 't was "Onendago."
"Onendago Pump" was written with red ink on the blank leaf of a
"Universal Songster" he carried in his pocket.
By the aid of the tailor and the barber, he wore nice cloth and
curled hair; and, being blessed with a smooth, oily voice, was
enabled, by being invited to dinner here and to supper there, to
live quite easy.
Edward had just seated himself, when a loud rap on the door was
heard, and in a moment Mr. Onendago Pump, with two bottles, entered.
With a low bow, he inquired as to our hero's health, and proposed
spending an evening in his company.
"Well, Butler was our captain, and a regular man he; right up and
down good fellow,--better man never held sword or gave an order.
Well, we were quartered at-I don't remember where-history tells. We
led a lazy life; no red coats to fire at. One of the men came home,
one night, three sheets in the wind, and the fourth bound round his
head; awful patriotic was he, and made a noise, and swore he'd shoot
every man for the good of his country. Well, Captain Butler heard of
it, and the next day all hands were called. We formed a ring; Simon
Twigg, he who was drunk the day before, stood within it, and then
and there Captain Butler, who belonged to the Humane Society, and
never ordered a man to be flogged, lectured him half an hour. Well,
that lecture did Mr. Dago Pump immense good, and ever since I have
n't drank anything stronger than brandy.
"Never a man died of brandy!" said Mr. Pump, with much emphasis.
"Brandy's the word!" and, without saying more, he produced a
cork-screw, and with it opened a bottle.
A couple of glasses soon made their appearance. "Now, you will take
a glass with me," said Dago; "it is the pure Cogniac, quality one,
letter A."
"Drink, now," said he, pushing a glass towards him. "Wine is used by
the temperance society. They'll use brandy soon. Ah, they can't do
without their wine, and we can't do without our brandy! They want to
bind us in a free country, what my father bled and almost died for,--
bind us to drink cold water!" said Mr. Pump, sneeringly. "Let 'em
try it! I go for freedom of the press,--universal, everlasting,
unbounded freedom!"
When this patriotic bubble had exploded and the mist cleared away,
he sang a bacchanalian song, which he wished every free man in the
world would commit to memory. "What is the difference," said he,
"between this and wine? Neither will hurt a man; it is your
rum-drinking, gin-guzzling topers that are harmed;--anything will
harm them. Who ever heard of a genteel wine or brandy drinker
becoming a pest to society? Who ever heard of such an one rolling in
the mire? No; such men are able to take care of themselves. Away
with the pledge!"
"Ha, ha, ha! Well done! So be it! I'll shoulder the blame, if a
respectable man like you falls by brandy."
"True!" said Mr. Pump, as he again filled the glass; "we cannot be
too much so. We must avoid rum and gin as we would a viper! How I
abhor the very name of rum! O, Mr. Dayton, think of the misery it
has brought upon man! I had a sister once, a beautiful, kind-hearted
creature. She was married to an industrious man; all was fair,
prospects bright. By degrees he got into bad company; he forgot his
home, loved rum more than that, became dissipated, died, and filled
a drunkard's grave! She, poor creature, went into a fever, became
delirious, raved day after day, and, heaping curses upon him who
sold her husband rum, died. Since then, I have looked upon rum as a
curse; but brandy,--it is a gentle stimulant, a healthy beverage, a
fine drink, and it can do no harm."
Onendago swallowed the contents of his glass, and Edward, who,
having taken the first, found it very easy to take the second, did
the same. Yet his conscience smote him; he felt that he was doing
wrong.
It was near midnight when Mr. Pump left. The two had become quite
sociable, and Mr. Pump saw the effect of his brandy in the unusual
gayety of Edward.
The latter was not lost to reflection; and now that he was alone,
thoughts of home, his business, and many other matters, came
confusedly into his mind.
As Edward read here and there a letter, it did seem as though his
friends stood beside him, and spoke words of advice which conscience
whispered should be heeded. Love was the theme of not a few, yet all
warned him to flee from evil. He returned the parcel, and, as he did
so, he pledged himself that if he drank any it should be with
moderation: and that, as soon as he felt its ruinous effects, to
abstain altogether.
The next morning Othro was late at the store; yet, when he arrived,
he was full of praise of the play.
Three years had elapsed since the events of the last chapter. Edward
had often visited his native village, and, as the results of these
visits, Emily Lawton became Mrs. Dayton; and she, with Mrs. Brandon,
was removed to an elegantly furnished house in the city. Yet, with
all its elegance, Mrs. Brandon, who had been accustomed to rural
simplicity, did not feel happy except when in her own room, which
Edward had ordered to be furnished in a style answering her own
wishes.
Great was the activity and bustle displayed, and in no place more
than at the store of Dayton and Treves. As ill-luck would have it,
Ralph had been absent a week on one of his drunken sprees, and his
employers were obliged to procure another to fill his place.
The papers were filled with predictions concerning it; and the
editors, happy fellows, were in ecstasies of joy on account of
having been invited to attend. Nor were Messrs. Dayton and Treves
forgotten; but lengthy eulogies upon their abilities to perform the
duty assigned them occupied prominent places, and "steamboat
disasters," "horrid murders," and "dreadful accidents," were obliged
to make room for these.
The chief object of attraction was a small boy, who had attained
considerable proficiency in musical knowledge, not of any particular
instrument, but anything and everything; consequently a large
assortment of instruments had been collected, upon which he played.
As music had called them together, it was the employment of the
evening, and the hour of midnight had passed when they were summoned
to the tables.
Those gentlemen who desired had an apartment to themselves, where
wine and cigars circulated freely. Some, in a short time, became
excited; whilst others, upon whom the same cause had a different
effect, became stupid. One poor fellow, whose bloated countenance
told a sad tale, lay almost senseless; another sat dreamingly over
his half-filled glass, whilst another excited the risibilities of
not a few by his ineffectual attempts to light his cigar.
Our hero, like his companions, was a little overcome by too frequent
potations from the bottle. It was a sad sight to a reflective mind.
The majority were young men, whose eyes had been blinded to the
danger they were in, by adhering to a foolish and injurious custom.
As hour passed hour, they became more excited, until a high state of
enthusiasm existed.
All the ladies had retired, except one, and she strove hard to
conceal her rising sorrow by forced smiles; yet she could not
restrain her feelings,--her heart seemed bursting with grief. In vain
did officious servants seek to know the cause. To the inquiries of
the lady of the house she made no reply. She dare not reveal the
secret which pierced her very soul; but, burying her face in her
hands, seemed resolved upon not being comforted. Finally, yielding
to the persuasive influence of Mrs. Venet, she expressed her fears
that Edward had tarried too long at the bowl.
Mrs. Venet tried to comfort her by saying that, if what she so much
feared was true, yet it was nothing uncommon; and mentioned several
men, and not a few ladies, who had been carried away in a senseless
condition.
These words did not comfort her; on the contrary, they increased her
fears, and led her to believe that there was more danger at such
parties than there was generally thought to be; and the fact that
Edward had often attended such parties increased her sorrow, for she
knew not but that he had been among that number of whom Mrs. Venet
spoke.
"O, it is, is it? Well, madam, Dayton the confectioner, and a dozen
jovial souls, are having a rare time here. Put that down in your
memorandum-book, and leave us to our meditations."
"Yes, and these to profit and loss," said another, and the breaking
of glasses was heard.
"If Mr. Dayton is within, tell him his lady is waiting for him,"
said Mrs. Venet.
"Ed, your wife's waiting,"' said one of the party.
"Then, friends, I-I-I must go," said the inebriated man, who, though
badly intoxicated, had not wholly forgotten her.
Mrs. Venet, who was standing without, laid hold of his coat, and,
knowing the excited state of Mrs. Dayton, and fearing that the
appearance of her husband would be too much for her to bear,
endeavored to induce him not to enter the room, or, at least, to
wait until he had recovered from the effects of his drinking.
The sound of his voice resounded through the building, and his
drunken companions, hearing it, made the building echo with their
boisterous laughter.
He ran through the entries gazing wildly around, and loudly calling
for his wife.
The servants, hearing the tumult, hastened to the spot; but neither
they nor Mrs. Venet could induce him to become quiet.
The latter, finding she could have no influence upon him, repaired
to the room in which she left Mrs. Dayton, and found her senseless
upon the floor, and to all appearances dead. She had heard his wild
cries, and what she had so much feared she then knew to be true.
Mrs. Venet rang for the servants, and ordered some restoratives.
These were soon obtained, and by their free use she had nearly
recovered, when her husband rushed into the room.
Upon seeing his wife, the raging lion became as docile as a lamb. A
sudden change came over him; he seemed to realize the truth, and it
sent an arrow to his soul.
Again the injured wife fainted, and again the restoratives were
faithfully applied; but it was evident that if Mr. Dayton remained
in her presence it would be difficult to restore her, and the man
who before would not be approached was led quietly away. In a short
time Mrs. Dayton became sensible, and her first words were to
inquire after Edward. Being told, she was induced to lie down, and,
if possible, enjoy a little sleep; but sleep she could not. Her mind
became almost delirious, and fears were entertained by her
attendants that she would lose her reason.
To Mrs. Dayton this was an hour of the deepest sorrow. She looked
back upon the past, and saw happiness; in the future nothing but
misery seemed to await her. Yet a change came over her; she thanked
God for his past mercies, and wisely trusted him for their
continuance. She implored pardon for past ingratitude, and prayed
that she might be more grateful in future, and that, having tasted
of the cup of sorrow, she might not drink the bitter draught.
CHAPTER VII.
The next morning Edward repented of his crime, and in his inmost
soul felt it to be such,--a crime of deepest dye.
"Cease thy tears," said he, "and forgive; it is but that word,
spoken by thee, that can send peace to my soul. Yet what peace can I
expect? I have wronged thee!"-and the wretched man wept like a
child.
"O, that the grave would hide me," continued Edward, "and that in
death I might forget this crime! But no! I cannot forget it; it will
cling to me through life, and the future--"
He would have said more, but the strong emotions of his soul choked
his utterance.
He arose and paced the room in agony of feeling which pen cannot
describe. Suddenly halting, he gazed steadfastly upon the face of
his wife. It was deadly pale, and a tear dimmed the usual lustre of
her eye.
"Comfort thyself," said he; "no further evil shall come upon thee.
It shall never be said you are a drunkard's wife,--no, no, no,
never!"
"What! forget those days when I had not tasted? O, misery indeed, if
I cannot retain their remembrance!" said Edward.
"Not so, Edward; we would remember those, but forget the evil that
has befallen us,--all will be well."
"Then let this be a pledge of the future;" and, taking her hand in
his, he said; "I resolve to walk in the path of right, and never
more to wander, God being my witness and my strength."
"'T is well thou hast pledged thyself," said she; "but know thou the
tempter is on every side. Should the wine-cup touch thy lips, dash
it aside, and proclaim yourself a pledged man."
"I will!" was the response, and, taking a pen, he boldly placed his
name to the following pledge:
Such was the pledge to which he affixed his name, and such the
pledge by which men of those days endeavored to stay the tide of
intemperance. Did not every man who signed that pledge himself to
become a moderate drinker; and is not every moderate drinker pledged
to become a drunkard? What a pledge! Yet we should not blame the men
of former years for pursuing a course which they conscientiously
thought to be right. That was the first step. It was well as far as
it led; but it paused at the threshold of the ark of safety, and
there its disciples fell. They had not seen, as have men of late
years, the ruinous tendency of such a course; and knew not, as we
now do, that total abstinence is the only sure course.
The pledge Edward had signed was no preventive in his case. He had
tasted; in fact, he had become a lover of strong drink; and the
temptation of having it constantly beside him, and daily dealing it
out to others, was too strong for him to resist. When he drank, he
did think, as Emily had bade him, that he was a pledged man; but
that pledge permitted him to drink wine. The remedy such a pledge
applied was of no avail. It failed to reach the fountain-head, and
strove to stop the stream by placing slight resistances in its way.
A long time must elapse before a man can know the heart of his
fellow-man, if, indeed, it can ever be known; and it was not until
Edward had become addicted to habits of intemperance that he
discovered the professed friendship of Mr. Treves to be insincere.
Words of warning seldom came from his lips. What cared he if Edward
did fall? Such being the case, the business would come into his own
hands; and such "a consummation devoutly to be wished" it was very
evident that if Edward did not soon reform was not far distant.
"Here 't is, eighteen forty-some years since I saw that Dayton cove;
eh, gone by the board? The daily papers say he was up for a common
drunkard; but, being first time, was lectured and sent home. Plaguy
poor home his, I reckon! Wonder if the lecture did him as much good
as Old Batter's did me. Ah! he liked that brandy, and said I should
bear the blame if he was ruined; but he an't that yet. Here I am,
ten times worse off than he is, and I an't ruined. No! Mr. Dago Pump
is a man yet. Well, well! what shall I say?-business awful dull, and
it's damp and dark here; I feel cold 'side of this red-faced stove."
Mr. Pump, who for a long time had lived on appearances, could do so
no longer; for, persisting in his opinion that brandy could not hurt
him, he drank so much that bad soon supplanted good appearances, and
his company was soon discarded.
Mr. Blinge would not have him about his premises, although the one
drank as much as the other, and a great similarity existed between
them.
"'T is midnight," said a female voice, "and he has not come. God
send repentance to his heart! Hope has almost failed me; yet I will
hope on."
"Another glass of brandy for me," said a man, addressing Mr. Dago
Pump.
"Gin with a hot poker in it for me," said the third; and Mr. Pump
poured out the poisons.
Half a dozen men stood in front of some rough boards that served as
a "bar."
"I have been thinking," said he who had caused this strange effect,
"is it right for us to drink that? It does us no good; it brings
upon us much evil; that's what I've been a-thinking while 'twas
being poured out."
"And I," said a third. "I would have been worth fifty thousand
dollars, this day, had I never touched stuff like that. I tell you
what, coveys, let's come out."
"Hurra!" shouted yet another; "I've spent a good fortune in
rum-shops. That's what I say; let's come out."
"Yes," said the first speaker, "let us come out. We have been in
long enough;--in the gutter, in the grog-shop, in misery, in
disgrace, in poverty, in jail, and in ruin. I say, let us come out,
out of all these."
"Let us come out," he continued; "but what can temperance folks do?
I have signed the pledge, and signed, and signed, but I cannot keep
it. I had no friends; temperance folks never came to me. I have
often thought that, if a friend would reach forth his hand, and help
me from the gutter when I have lain there, I would do anything for
such a friend. But when I am drunk they laugh at and jeer me. Boys
stone and cuff me, and men stand by and laugh at their hellish
sport. Yes, those calling themselves 'friends of temperance' would
laugh at me, and say, 'Miserable fool, nothing can save him! When
such are dead, we can train up a generation of temperate people.' I
am kicked and cuffed about like a dog, and not a hand is extended to
relieve me. When I first tasted, I told him who gave it me the blame
should rest on him if I fell. Where he is now, I know not; but,
wherever he is, I know his is a miserable existence. Years have
passed since then, and here I am, a miserable drunkard. My
wife-where is she? and my good old aunt-where is she? At home in
that comfortless room, weeping over my fall, and praying for my
reform. Brothers, let us arise; let us determine to be men-free
men!"
"It is done," said one and all; and the keeper of the cellar dashed
bottle after bottle against the wall.
"The present pledge is not safe for us," said the keeper of the
cellar, as he took a demijohn of liquor up the steps, and emptied it
in the gutter.
"Then let us have one of our own," said the first speaker. "Let it
be called 'The Hope of the Fallen;' for we are indeed fallen, and
this, our last refuge from more fearful evils, is our only hope. May
it not disappoint us! May we cling to it as the drowning man grasps
the rope thrown out for his rescue! And not for us alone shall this
hope exist. Let us go to every unfortunate in our land, and speak
kindly to him. Al, my friends, we know the value of a kind word. Let
us lift him from the gutter, place him upon his feet, and say,
'Stand up! I myself also am a man.'"
Having said this, he sent out for pen, ink and paper, and a pledge
was carefully drawn up, of which the following is a copy:
The speaker was the first to place his name to this document; and
the keeper of the cellar started when he read the name of "Edward
Dayton."
"Is it possible!" said he, and, grasping his hand, he shook it most
heartily.
Edward was as much astonished as he. Such a change had taken place
that they could not at first recognize each other.
They all spake of their past lives, related the sorrows they had
felt, the misery they had endured; and such was the interest
manifested by each in listening to these plain, unvarnished tales,
that they resolved upon meeting in that same place the next night.
The next day, the report spread like wild-fire about the city that
drunkards themselves were reforming. Many doubted, and would not
believe such to be the case.
"They are past reforming," said public opinion; "let them die; let
us take care of the young."
CHAPTER IX.
They met in the same place the next night, but the next they did
not. Their numbers had so increased that the cellar would not
contain them; and they engaged a large hall, and gave public notice
that a meeting would be held at which reformed drunkards would
speak. Those who before doubted did so no more; yet from many the
sneering, cold-hearted remark was heard, "They will not hold on."
Let us, then, push on the car. Let our influence be such as will
advance, and not retard, its progress. Let us do this, and ere long
we may rejoice together, and earth hold a grand jubilee, and all men
shall testify that the Pledge is the "hope of the fallen."
DETERMINED TO BE RICH.
FORGET ME NOT.
LONG, long ago, one whose life had been one of goodness-whose every
act had been that of charity and good will-was persecuted, hated and
maligned! He came with new hopes. He held up a light, whose rays
penetrated far into the future, and disclosed a full and glorious
immortality to the long doubting, troubled soul of man.
Among the rulers, the wealthy and the powerful, but few believed in
him, or in the works he performed. To them he was an impostor. In
speaking of his labors some cant phrase fell from their wise lips,
synonymous with the "it is all a humbug" of our day. His healing of
the sick was denied; or, if admitted, was said to be some lucky
circumstance of fate. His opening of the eyes of the blind was to
them a mere illusion; the supposed cure, only an operation of the
imagination.
All his good deeds were underrated; and those who, having seen with
their own eyes, and heard with their own ears, were honest enough to
believe and openly declare their belief; were looked upon by the
influential and those in high places as most egregiously deceived
and imposed upon.
But, notwithstanding the opposition, men did believe; and in one day
three thousand acknowledged their belief in the sincerity of the
teacher, and in the doctrines which he taught.
They watched his every movement. They stood by and caught the words
as they fell from his lips, hoping thus to get something by which to
form an accusation against him. In this they failed. Though what he
said was contrary to their time-worn dogmas, yet nothing came from
his lips but sentiments of the purest love, the injunctions of
reason and justice, and the language of humanity. Failing in this
plan to ensnare him, justice was set abide, and force called in to
their aid.
See him now before a great tribunal, and Pilate, troubled in soul,
compelled to say, "I find no fault in this man."
Urged to action by the mad crowd around him, balancing his decision
between justice, the prisoner's release, and injustice, the call to
crucify him, he knows not what to do. In an agony of thought, which
pen cannot describe or human words portray, he delays his
irrevocable doom.
In the mean time, the persecutors grow impatient; and louder than
ever, from the chief priests and the supporters of royalty, goes up
the infamous shout, "Crucify him, crucify him!" At this moment, the
undecided, fearful Pilate casts a searching glance about him. As he
beholds the passionate people, eager for the blood of one man, and
he innocent, and sees, standing in their midst, the meek and lowly
Jesus, calm as an evening zephyr over Judea's plains, from whose eye
flows the gentle love of an infinite divinity,--his face beaming in
sympathy with every attribute of goodness, faith and humanity,--all
this, too, before his mad, unjust accusers, from whose eyes flash in
mingled rays the venom of scorn and hate,--his mind grows strong with
a sense of right. His feelings will not longer be restrained, and,
unconscious of his position, forgetting for the moment the dignity
of his office, he exclaims, with the most emphatic earnestness,
"WHAT IS TRUTH?"
Eighteen hundred years have intervened between that day and this;
and now the same inquiry is heard, and often with the same
earnestness as then. Men ask, and often ask in vain, "what is
truth?" and yet the great problem to millions remains unsolved.
Generations pass on, and leave to others the great question for them
to ask, and they, in turn, to leave unanswered. The child, ere it
can speak in words, looks from its wistful eye, "What is truth?"
Youth comes, and all the emotions of the soul are awakened. It
arises from the playfulness of childhood, forgets its little games,
and, finding itself an actor in the drama of life, looks over the
long programme of parts from which it is to choose its own, and
anxiously inquires "What is truth?" Manhood feels the importance of
the question; and Age, though conscious of its near approach to the
world of revealed truth, repeats it.
Men have trusted too much in the views of past ages, and taken for
truth many an error, because some one back in by-gone ages
introduced it as such, and it has been believed in and held most
sacred.
Let our course be our own course, and not that of others. Let us
seek for truth as truth. Let us be honest and press on, trusting in
God the rewarder of all, who will bless all our efforts to ascertain
his truths, and our duty to him, to our fellow-men, and to
ourselves.
He had wandered far and long, and when, on his return to the scenes
of his early life, he came in full view of the old house, in which
and around which those scenes were clustered, he throw down his
oaken staff, raised his hands, and clapped them like a child. Then a
tear would roll down his face; then a smile illumine it; then he
would dance with joy. As he approached the building, he observed
that the door was open; and the large, hospitable-looking room was
so inviting, and there being no one present, he entered, and
indulged in thoughts like these:
LIGHT IN DARKNESS.
The homes of the negroes were in some cases built of stone; mostly,
however, of boards, put loosely together, and in some instances of
large logs, the crevices being filled with mud, which, the sun and
wind having hardened, were white-washed, presenting a very strong
though not very beautiful appearance, the architecture of which was
neither Grecian nor Roman, but evidently from "original designs" by
a not very fastidious or accomplished artist.
Groups of women and children were about these houses; some seated on
the grass, in the shade of the tall trees; others standing in the
doors, all unemployed and apparently having nothing to do but to
talk, and this they appeared to engage in with a hearty good will.
We continued our way over stones, up steep, deep-rutted hills,
covered partly with branches and brambles, and down as steep
declivities, through ponds and brooks, now and then cheered by the
pleasing prospect of a long road, evidently designed to illustrate
the "ups and downs of life."
An old, infirm, yet good, sociable negro met us at the gate, and
told us that there was another road to the Mount, but that it was
not as good as the one we came over, and also that there was a
private road, which was not as good as either of the others! We
smiled, threw out a hint about a�rial navigation. He smiled also,
and, thinking we doubted his word, said, "Indeed, it is not as good;
I would n't tell you a lie about it." Mercy on pilgrims to Mount
Vernon! If you ever go there, reader, do provide yourself with a
conscience that can't be shaken out of you.
Having been kindly furnished with a letter from Mr. Seaton, the
editor of the Intelligencer, and Mayor of Washington city, to the
proprietor of the estate, we inquired whether he was at home, and
with pleasure learned that he was.
The house I need not describe, as most persons are acquainted with
its appearance, from seeing the numerous engraved representations of
it. It shows many evidences of age and decay. Time is having his own
way with, it, as the hand that would defend it from his ravages, and
improve its looks, is kept back, that it may remain as nearly as
possible in the same condition as when occupied by our first
president. We entered and passed through several rooms, endeavoring
to allay our curiosity by asking more questions than our attendant
could conveniently answer and retain his senses.
We saw the massive key of that old French prison-house, the Bastile,
presented to General Washington by that friend of freedom and
humanity, General Lafayette, soon after the destruction of that
monument of terror. We noticed that depredations had been committed
by visitors upon the costly marble fire-frame, which was a gift to
Washington.
Silently I stood and gazed at the marble coffin that held the mortal
remains of him whom, when he lived, all people loved, and the memory
of whom, now that he has passed from our material vision, all people
revere. A few branches of cypress lay upon it, and at its base a few
withered flowers.
THE REMAINS
OF
"He was a good old man," said the negro, "and he has gone to his
rest."
Deep silence was about us. We heard not even the notes of a bird.
Not a zephyr moved the air, not a rustling leaf was there. In front,
far below, lay the Potomac. Not a breath of wind moved the surface
of its waters, but calmly, peacefully, undisturbed, the river moved
on, as though conscious of the spot it was passing. On its glassy
surface were reflected the branches that bent over and kissed it as
it flowed, and the last rays of a declining sun tinted with their
golden light the hills on the opposite shore.
The sun had passed the horizon, and the cool evening air, laden with
the fragrance of shrubbery and flowers, gathered about us. A lively
squirrel sprang across our path; a belated bird flew by; and, amid
the pleasant, quiet scenes of rural life, we wended our way
homeward.
FREEDOM'S GATHERING.
HE IS THY BROTHER.
CHAPTER I.
"WILL you sign the pledge?" asked one young man of another.
"No!" was the ready response; and, after a moment's pause, "You are
wrong, and I am right. You wish to deprive me of a social glass,
free companionship with those I love, life's best enjoyments, and to
live bound down to the contracted limits of a temperance-pledge.-Me
sign! No! Go ask leave of the soaring eagle to clip his wings; of
the oriole to tarnish his bright plumage; of the bounding deer to
fetter his free limbs,--but do not ask me to sign a pledge!"
The young men parted. Each went his way; one to his counting-room,
the other to his home.
The proprietors of the store with which the former was connected had
been for a number of years busily engaged in the importation,
adulteration and sale of wines and brandies. From the cellar to the
attic of their large warehouse, pipes, puncheons, and barrels of the
slow poison were deposited, with innumerable bottles of wine,
reputed to be old as a century, if not older. A box or two of
Flemish pipes relieved the sameness of the scene,--barrels on
barrels.
All these facts were known to the public; yet they countenanced the
traffic in which Messrs. Laneville & Co. were engaged. They were
merchants, they were wealthy; for these reasons, it would seem, the
many-headed public looked up to them with a feeling bordering on
reverence, somewhat awed by their presence, as though wealth had
made them worthy, while many a less rich but ten-fold more honest
man walked in the shadow of the mighty Magog, unseen,--uncared for,
if seen. Messrs. Laneville & Co. knew that the law was against their
business; they knew, also, that public opinion, if not actually in
favor of it, willingly countenanced it.
The "Vincennes" had just arrived at the wharf as James entered the
store. It had been the custom of the owners, on the annual arrival
of this vessel, to have a party on board. On this occasion, they
made the usual arrangements for the festivity. Cards of invitation
were speedily written, and distributed among members of the city
government, editors, clergymen, and other influential persons. James
was free to invite such of his friends as he chose, and in doing so
the question arose whether he should ask George Alverton to be
present. It was known to him that George was a teetotaller, and had
that morning invited him to sign the pledge. He knew that at the
entertainment wine would circulate. He knew that some would indulge
rather freely, and that the maintenance of a perfect equilibrium by
such would be very difficult. Suppose he, himself,--that is,
James,--should be among these last mentioned, and that, too, before
his friend George; would it not demolish his favorite argument,
which he had a thousand times advanced, that he knew right from
wrong,--when to drink and when to stop drinking? yet, thought he, I
may not indulge too freely. Yes; I will maintain my position, and
show by practice what I teach by preaching. Besides, it would be
very impolite, as well as uncourteous, in me, not to invite one
whose character I value so highly as his,--one whose friendship I so
much esteem. I will invite him. He shall be present, and shall see
that I can keep sober without being pledged to do so.
CHAPTER II.
"An invite for you," said the laughing Josephine, as George entered
at dusk. "And ten to one it's from that black-eyed Kate, who is
bewitching all the young men within a twenty-mile circuit with her
loving glances-eh? A match, ten to one!"
Josephine handed the note to her brother, slyly winking as she did
so, as much as to say, "The marriage-bells are ringing, love."
Josephine was not to be thus thrown from her ground; so, turning to
her brother with a laugh, she said,
"For me! Well, if so 't is so; but I judge from what I see.
Notwithstanding your insinuation that James writes to no one but
myself, I'll venture a bright gold dollar that this is for yourself,
even though it be from James. Open the budget, and prove the truth
of what I say."
George untied the white ribbon that bound it, and, opening the
envelope, found an invitation to a gentleman's party to be held that
evening on board the "Vincennes." Josephine laughed merrily over
what she deemed her brother's defeat, and George as heartily over
what he deemed his victory. He was advised to go; not, however,
without an accompanying hint of its being a dry affair, as ladies
were to be excluded. Josephine was puzzled to know the reason of
their exclusiveness, and what festivity was to be engaged in of
which they could not partake.
"I scarcely know what to do," said George, "as wines will be
circulated, and I shall be asked, a dozen times or more, to drink of
them."
"Go, by all means," said his sister; "stand your own ground, be
firm, be resolute, refuse if asked to partake; but do so in a manner
that, while it shows a determination to resist temptation, will not
offend, but rather induce him you respect to think whether it will
not he best for him also to refuse."
CHAPTER III.
It was evident that some individuals had been busy as bees, for all
was clean and in the best of order. Wreaths of evergreen and
national flags decorated the vessel, and bouquets of bright and
fragrant flowers, conspicuously arranged, loaded the air with their
sweet perfumes. There were card-tables and cards, scores of
well-filled decanters, and glasses almost without number. At one end
of the cabin stood a table filled with fruits of the most costly
kind. There were oranges fresh from the land that gave them growth,
and other products of sunny Italy and the islands beyond the seas.
The captain was as lively as a lark, and as talkative as wit and
wine could make him. He spoke of his quick voyage, praised his ship
till praise seemed too poor to do its duty, boasted of its good
qualities, said there was not a better craft afloat, and finished
his eulogy by wishing success to all on board, and washing it down
with a glass of Madeira, which, he said, was the stuff, for he made
it himself from grapes on the island.
Messrs. Laneville & Co. were in high glee. They drank and played
cards with men worth millions; spoke of the inclemency of the
season, and expressed great surprise that so much poverty and
wretchedness existed, with one breath, and with the next extolled
the wines and administered justice to the eatables. Editors were
there who had that morning written long "leaders" about the
oppression of the poor by the rich, and longer ones about the
inconsistencies of their contemporaries, who ate and drank, and
dreamt not of inconsistency in themselves, though they guided the
press with temperance reins, and harnessed themselves with those who
tarried long at the wine.
James drank quite often, and George as often admonished him of his
danger. But the admonitions of a young man had but little if any
influence, counteracted as they were by the example of the rich and
the great about him. There was Alderman Zemp, who was a temperance
man in the world, but a wine-drinker in a ship's cabin. He had
voted for stringent laws against the sale of liquors, and had had
his name emblazoned on the pages of every professedly temperance
paper as a philanthropist and a righteous man; and on the pages of
every anti-temperance publication, as a foe to freedom, and an enemy
to the rights of humanity. But he drank; yes, he had asked James to
take a glass of the water of Italy, as he called it. Clergymen, so
called, disgraced themselves, and gave the scoffers food for
merriment. Judges who that day might have sentenced some unfortunate
to imprisonment for drinking, drank with a gusto equalled only by
lawyers who would talk an hour in court to prove a man discreditable
evidence because he was known to visit bar-rooms! It was the
influence of these, and such like, that made James drink, and caused
the labor of George to prove all unavailing. It is the example of
the rich that impedes the progress of temperance,--they who loll on
damask sofas, sip their iced champagnes and brandies, and never get
"drunk," though they are sometimes "indisposed."
The clock struck twelve, then one, and the morning hours advanced,
light-foot messengers of the coming day. The gay and the jocund
laugh was hushed, and the notes that told of festive mirth were
silenced. Nature, either fatigued by exertion or stupefied by wine,
had sank to repose; and those who had lingered too long and indulged
too freely were lying on the cabin-floor helpless. George retired
at a seasonable hour. James remained, and fell, as others, before
the enchanting wine-cup's power!
CHAPTER IV.
The next morning George called at the store of Laneville & Co. No
one was in save a small lad, who, to his inquiry, replied that all
were sick. The youth was a short, porpoise-shaped lad, who appeared
quite independent for his age and station, and told George that he
had better call the next day, as the folks would n't be down. In an
instant George suspected the cause of their absence. Though he knew
James would be mortified to be seen, yet he determined upon visiting
him, thinking it a favorable opportunity to submit to him the
expediency of taking that step which he had urged upon him on the
morning previous.
"Hush! who says hush? My soul's in arms; come on, John Duff! bring
liquor here, and cursed be he who says, I've had enough!"
The furniture and all that was in the room was in the greatest
confusion, not excepting James Clifton himself. There was a
boot-jack and a vase of flowers side by side on the mantel; a pair
of boots on the centre-table, with two or three annuals on them, as
though to keep them from being blown away; a nice hat stood on the
hearth filled with coal-ashes, while an inkstand upside down on a
pile of linen bosoms had left an impression not easily effaced; the
paintings that were in the room were turned face towards the
wall,--some freak of James', as though ashamed to have them see the
performances.
"Now, George," said Mr. Clifton, "you can be convinced of the truth
of my doctrine. I did n't sign the pledge, and I'm as sober, sober
as a brandy-smasher! You recollect what a great poet says,--Drink
till the moon goes down. I can improve that; I say,--Drink till
yourselves go down. What an age this is, when temperance fanatics
dance through the world to smash decanters, and make one pledge
himself to be a fool! Independence is my motto! I go for
independence now, independence forever, and as much longer as
possible. Who says I am not right? Deluded mortals, who wink at sin,
and kick at brandies! Magnificent monstrosities, making manliness
moonshine; metaphysical Moors murdering Munchausen-"
"But hold, James," said George, interrupting him in his remarks;
"keep within bounds,--let us reason." It was not with much hope of
success that George asked his friend to "reason," for his condition
was one not in the least degree favorable to such a performance.
"Don't you see the ill effects of last night's indulgence in the
confusion around you, and feel them in your own mind and body?"
"Now you talk like a man. Let us send the 'James-town' to Ireland
with bread and butter. 'T is a vote! passed unanimously by both
houses of Congress. We'll fire a full broadside of gingerbread at
the old Green Isle, and teach the people to eat for a living."
This rambling from the inquiry George had made induced him to
relinquish all hope of influencing him at that time. He saw how he
had fallen; and he needed no prophet's ken to behold his future
course, unless he turned from the path he was now so
enthusiastically following.
"I want you to take a glass of wine;" and, ringing the bell, a
servant was at the door before Mr. Alverton had an opportunity to
say or do anything.
"You know I don't drink wines," said George; "why do you ask me?"
"Don't drink?"
"Everybody drinks."
"See how you like it;--it is what is called the Independent Pledge.
I'll read it.
"'We the undersigned, believing the use of wines and other liquors
beneficial to ourselves in general, and the dealers in particular,
pledge ourselves to act as we please in all matters of politics and
phrenology.'"
The servant, who yet stood at the door waiting orders, burst forth
into a loud laugh, as the reading of this was finished, while
George, though inwardly sorrowing over the situation of his friend,
could not refrain from smiling at his ridiculous appearance and
doings. There was a good humor running through the method of his
madness, that made him far from being disagreeable.
Mr. Alverton passed to the door, and, motioning the servant aside,
entreated her not to bring him wine.
"Well, sir, that be's just as he says," said she, in a loud voice,
and in a manner that convinced Mr. Alverton that she cared not as to
what might follow.
The wine came; a long talk ensued, as unmeaning and useless as that
we have above related, and George left with a heavy heart, promising
to call on the morrow.
CHAPTER V.
"Never!" exclaimed the young lady, as she wiped her eyes, and a
smile of joy and hope burst through her tears. "George, I know he
will not go too far,--O, no! As an eagle may touch the earth, yet,
soaring again, float in its own element in the light of the sun, so
may he, though he has this once fallen, soar upward, and higher than
ever, planning not another descent so low."
"And why not hope? You know each has an opinion of his own, but that
opinion may be changed. Though he now opposes the pledge, and the
cause of which it is the representative, yet he may think
differently, and may, through your influence, become one of its most
zealous advocates. Don't mention to him that I know of his act,"
exclaimed Josephine, springing to catch the arm of her brother, as
he opened the door to leave.
It was not until the next day that George had an opportunity of
seeing his friend. He then met him at the store, and James laughed
over the doings of the day previous as a "good joke," as he called
them. On that occasion, as on several subsequent ones, he urged him
to sign and become a total-abstinent; but, with such influences as
those which surrounded him, it was not strange that these efforts
proved ineffectual.
Weeks passed, and the hour of marriage drew nigh. The festivity was
to be one of unusual splendor and gayety. For a long time had
preparations been in progress.
The evening came, and with it many a bright and joyous heart to the
home of George Alverton. A more beautiful bride never pronounced the
bridal-vow than she who there, encircled with bright eyes and
smiling faces, gave all to James Clifton. And when it was over, when
they joined the bright galaxy that were about them and mingled with
others in the festive mirth of the hour, a life of joy and social
comfort was predicted for the hearts which that night were made
one! Music was there with its charms, Terpsichore with her graceful
motions, and everything from commencement to close was conducted in
so happy and agreeable a manner, that not a few young folks, as they
rode home, agreed to go through the same performance at their
earliest convenience.
After the usual "calls" had been attended and a few weeks had
elapsed, James and his young wife located themselves in a
dwelling-house, which was furnished in an elegant though not in an
extravagant manner. He was to continue with Messrs. Laneville & Co.
They reposed the utmost confidence in him, and considered him the
best judge of liquors in the city. On the day of his marriage they
increased his salary one third, so that his income was by no means
to be complained of. It was such as to enable him to live well, and
to lay aside quite a large amount quarterly. His prospects were
good, and no young man ever had better hopes of success.
CHAPTER VI.
For a year the young couple were most happy. The moments flew too
quickly by; so laden were they with joy, they would have them endure
forever. "Little Jim" was a smart one, if he was n't as old as his
father, and the handsomest piece of furniture in the house! Nobody
doubted that; at least, it would n't have been well for them to have
expressed their doubts in a very audible manner, if they held any.
The arrival of another cargo of wines, etc., for Messrs. Laneville &
Co., was duly acknowledged by another carousal in the cabins of the
vessel, which ended in results far more destructive to the
reputation of James, and to the happiness of himself and friends,
than the former.
At a late hour Josephine sat waiting and watching, when the ring of
the door-bell, the movement of the servant, the mingling of several
suppressed voices, and the shuffle of footsteps on the entry-floor,
aroused her from that listless inaction which fatigue had brought
upon her. She sprang to the door of her room, and, opening it, was
about to descend, when her brother met her and requested her not to
do so.
"And not before?" she inquired, in a tone of voice that startled her
attentive brother. Then, as a stray thought of the former ship's
party and its unfortunate results came into her mind, she exclaimed,
"I must see him now! Let me know the worst. Nothing can keep me from
him. James, my James!" and, bursting from her brother's embrace, she
ran down stairs, and, notwithstanding the remonstrance of her
friends, opened the door where half a dozen men and her husband had
gathered.
She pressed his hand in her own, and, as the tears fell freely from
her eyes, so unused to weep, she continued her calls upon him who
lay insensate before her. She whispered in his ear the breathings of
her heart, or in louder tones gave vent to the grief that wounded
it.
Vainly did friends beseech her to retire; vainly did they tell her
she could not hasten his restoration to reason. She declared her
determination to remain with him till morning.
Day dawned. There, at the side of her husband, sat the faithful
wife, as neglective of her own wants as she was attentive to his.
James began to realize his condition, but not fully. He had vague
ideas of being in his own house, but his mind was at times
wandering, and his words betrayed its condition.
"Here I am," said he, "in a paradise, with an angel at my side, and
beauty and rich fragrance all around me. See you how that diamond
sparkles at the bottom of this brook flowing at my feet! Watch that
dove as it comes down from the sky! See, it nestles in my angel's
bosom. See how it folds its wings! See how she smooths down its
ruffled plumage, and, hark ye, listen to its plaintive cooing! My
angel, my sweet one, come near me, let me whisper in thine ear. Go,
bring me that bunch of luscious grapes which is suspended on that
sapphire cloud, and make me wine of them that gods might envy! Ah,
see, she goes,--she wings her flight,--she grasps the rich fruit,--she
comes! She presses the grapes, and here is wine,--from where? From
paradise! Droop not, droop not, droop not, spirit of light! Do not
weep! What are you weeping for? Here, let me wipe those tears away.
Ah, they are pearls, they are not tears! I thought they were
tears.-Going so soon?-Gone?"
He sank into a quiet sleep. Josephine had wept as she caught his
words partly uttered in a whisper so low as to be scarcely
distinguishable. Now, as he slept, she watched his breathings, and
hoped that when he awoke he would be of a sane mind, and that a
realization of what had occurred might influence his future career
for the better.
CHAPTER VII.
"I know it, but, look ye, there's Follet, a fine man, a first-rate
man, once worth half a million, but now not worth a guinea-pig. The
man that sold him good wine in his better days sells him poor
whiskey now; and the confounded dealer in fancy poisons has taken
the houses of Mr. Follet, brick by brick, and piled them up in his
own yard, so to speak. Why, no longer ago than yesternight, he took
a fine black coat of Dick Pherson, and gave him in return a coarse,
brown one and a glass of sin-gin, I mean. Fudge! talk about
consistency! That rumseller is nominated for an alderman, and he'll
be elected. He's rich; and all your say-so temperance men will vote
for him, and when elected he'll go hand-in-hand with some lone star,
who deems it advisable that men should be licensed to corrupt the
morals of the community, in order to make it wise and virtuous!"
The captain acknowledged that his friend had a right view of the
matter, and, as he bade him good-day, promised to take care of his
vote at the coming election.
We doubt whether any man ever felt more deeply sensible of the wrong
committed than did James, as he, the next morning, awaking from his
long sleep, beheld his wife standing at his side, now weeping over
him, now joyous and smiling at his returned consciousness, and
closely attentive to his every want. He felt himself unworthy of
such kindness, and for the first time in his life saw the evil of
the doctrine he had all his lifetime advocated, namely, that a man
can drink enough and not too much; in other words, that he can guide
his evil passions as he will, and command them to stop in their
course, nor trespass on forbidden ground.
But James even yet was opposed to the pledge, and, though George
presented it with strong arguments, he refused to sign it, and
laughed at the idea of his ever getting the worse for liquor again.
The employer of James Clifton had his name on the same ticket with
that of the rumseller before mentioned, as a candidate for mayor.
Election-day came. The two political parties had their tickets in
the hands of scores of distributors. There was a third party, with
its ticket, the caption of which-"Temperance Men and Temperance
Measures"-was bandied about with gibes and sneers by the prominent
men of both other parties.
Among the vote-distributors was a young man of exceedingly
prepossessing appearance, and who, by means of the winning manner he
possessed, disposed of a large number of tickets, even to men of the
opposing party. "Vote for Laneville! vote for Laneville!" was his
constant cry, save when he, in well-chosen words, proclaimed the
ability and worthiness of his candidate. Some said he was urged on
by selfish motives; that, as he was a clerk of Laneville's, the
election of that candidate would be much to his pecuniary benefit.
But James Clifton cared for none of these insinuations.
"Well, deacon, my dear, dear deacon, who do you vote for?" inquired
a stanch teetotaller, as an old gentleman approached. The person
addressed, after a little hesitation, during which a few nervous
twinges of the mouth betrayed his nervousness of conscience, and the
debate going on in his heart between consistency and principles on
the one side, and party names and measures on the other, replied,
"Well, well,"-then a pause,--"well, I don't know; go for the best
man, I s'pose."
"Here's the ticket, sir! the best man, sir, is Laneville! vote for
Laneville!" shouted James, as he thrust his ticket into the hands of
the old gentleman, and, laying hold of his arm, led him into the
room, and saw him deposit the vote of a temperance advocate for a
rumseller! James laughed well over his victory, while the
distributors of the temperance tickets felt somewhat ill at ease in
seeing him whom they thought their truest friend desert them in the
hour of need, and give his vote and influence for the other party.
The day ended; the votes were counted, and Laneville was proclaimed
elected by a majority of one!
The night was one of carousal. The betting on both sides had been
considerable, and the payment of these debts caused the small change
to circulate pretty freely among the dispensers of eatables and
drinkables.
This night James yielded more easily than ever before to the
cravings of an appetite that began to master him.
Tom Moore may sing in praise of "wine and its sparkling tide;" but
the sighing of wronged women and their tears shall toll the requiem
of its praise.
CHAPTER VIII.
Notwithstanding the entreaties of George, added to those of
Josephine, James continued in the way he had begun to walk, and
which was leading him to ruin. The arguments of the one, and the
tears of the other, were equally unavailing.
His old companions perceived the change he was undergoing, and, like
butterflies that hovered about his path in sunshine, left him as
clouds overshadowed his way. But he had friends who would not leave
him. He had a wife who clung to him with all the affection of
woman's love, and a brother whose hand was ever extended to aid him.
James saw the evil that threatened to overwhelm him; yet, strangely
infatuated, he would not come to a fixed determination to reform so
far as to sign the pledge.
The sun never shone with a brighter effulgence than it did on the
morning of the 24th of July, 1849. The streets of Boston were filled
with busy crowds, and banners and flags streamed from balconies and
windows. Delegates of men from the suburbs poured into the city, and
the sound of music filled the air. Men, women, and children, the
rich and the poor, the merchant and the mechanic, the American and
the foreigner, joined in the movement; and a stranger could not long
remain ignorant of the fact that some great event was to transpire
that day in the capital of the Old Bay State. Crowds gathered at the
corners, and lined the principal thoroughfares.
"He has blist his own country, an' now he will bliss ours," said a
well-dressed Irishman.
"An' that he will," was the response; "an' God bliss Father Mathew!"
THEOBALD MATHEW, the friend of Ireland, was making his entry into
Boston! Never man was more gladly welcome. Never was man more
enthusiastically received. It seemed as though all men strove to do
him homage, for they looked upon one who was the instrument, under
God, of saving five millions of human beings from the greatest curse
sin brought into the world; lifting them, and bidding them stand up
as their Maker intended they should.
This was done from no sudden impulse. During the previous week he
had indulged rather freely, and when its effects were over he began
for the first time to give serious thought upon the question whether
it was not required of him to become a pledged man. He was becoming
convinced that he was unsafe. He knew how often he had fallen, how
liable he was to fall again, and that it might be never to rise. He
found his companions did not look upon him with as much respect as
formerly; and he determined to break down the pride of opinion,
rather than have it break him down.
James hurried from the crowd that gathered around him, and hastened
to his home. The glad news preceded him, and his wife, meeting him
at the door, caressed, blessed and welcomed him. George grasped his
hand, and James, with tears in his eyes, asked pardon for the past,
and promised much for the future.
"Once," said he, "I refused to sign. I trusted to my own self, and
thought because I was young and strong I could resist temptation. I
said I would not make myself a slave to a pledge, and clung to my
promise till I found myself a slave to an appetite. I ask your
pardon, George, for the manner in which I treated your request."
"Then I am happy, we are happy, and the future shall redeem the
past."
The door opened, and a bright-eyed boy, bounding into the room,
sprang upon his father, and, with a smile, said, "Father, I'm a
Cadet of Temperance! We formed a little society this morning, 'cause
Father Mathew has come to Boston. We've got six names, and we are to
have more."
ANGELINA.
UNLEARNED TO LOVE.
THERE is nothing from which more real enjoyment can be derived than
the art of letter-writing. All praise to the inventive genius that
gave to man a written language, and with it the implements with
which to talk across the world! Did you ever think, reader, what a
world this would be without pen, ink, and paper? Then, the absence
of friends were painful, and, as we grasped the friendly hand, bade
our acquaintances "good-by," and saw the last, far-distant wave of
the parting signal, we might turn aside to weep, as we thought we
should never hear from them till we met face to face-perhaps never.
But, as it is, when friends leave, we expect a message from their
hearts soon, to solace our own. How we watch, and how we hope! What
a welcome rap is the postman's! With what eagerness we loosen the
seal; with what pleasure we read, from date to signature, every
word!
Some write letters with great ease; others, with great difficulty.
Miss Seward was an inveterate letter-writer. There have been
published six large volumes of letters written by her; besides
these, she left twelve quarto volumes of letters to a publisher of
London, and these, it is said, are but a twelfth part of her
correspondence. It seems as though she must have written nothing but
letters, so many and various were they; but her fame as an authoress
will convince any one that her industry overcame what might seem an
impossibility, and that her genius in this particular resembled that
of the steam-writing machine, Dumas, of the present time.
There are many persons with whom it is the most difficult task of
their existence to write a letter. They follow the old Latin
writers, and make a labor of what with others is a recreation. They
begin with the stereotyped words, "I take my pen in hand," as though
a letter could be written without doing so. Then follows, "to inform
you that I am well, and hope this will find you the same." There is
a period-a full stop; and there are instances of persons going no
further, but closing with, "This from your friend, JOHN SHORT."
Willis' letters are of a kind always "free and easy." His "Letters
from Under a Bridge" are admirable specimens of letters as they
should be; and his "Pencillings by the Way" owe much of their
popularity to their easy, familiar, talkative style. The letters of
Cicero and Pliny, of ancient, and Swift, Pope, Arbuthnot, Madame de
S�vign�, and Lady Mary Wortley Montague, of modern times, are
generally received as some of the best specimens extant of
epistolary composition. The letters of Charles Lamb are a series of
brilliances, though of kaleidoscope variety; they have wit without
buffoonery, and seriousness without melancholy. He closes one of
them by subscribing himself his friend's "afflicted, headachey,
sorethroaty, humble servant, CHARLES LAMB."
"DEAR SAM: I am in prison for debt; come, and assist your loving
mother, E. FOOTE.
"SAM FOOTE.
"P. S.-I have sent my attorney to assist you; in the mean time, let
us hope for better days."
But these are left far in the rear by the correspondence of two
Quakers, the one living in Edinburgh, the other in London. The
former, wishing to know whether there was anything new in London,
wrote in the corner of a letter-sheet a small interrogation note,
and sent it to his friend. In due time he received an answer. He
opened the sheet and found, simply, O, signifying that there was
none.
William Cowper, the poet, being on very familiar terms with the Rev.
Mr. Newton, amused himself and his friend with a letter, of which
the following is a copy:
"MY VERY DEAR FRIEND: I am going to send, what, when you have read,
you may scratch your head, and say, I suppose, there's nobody knows,
whether what I have got be verse or not; by the tune and the time,
it ought to be rhyme; but if it be, did you ever see, of late or of
yore, such a ditty before?
"I have writ Charity, not for popularity, but as well as I could, in
hopes to do good; and if the reviewers should say, 'To be sure the
gentleman's muse wears methodist shoes, you may know by her pace,
and talk about grace, that she and her bard have little regard for
the taste and fashions, and ruling passions, and hoydening play, of
the modern day; and though she assume a borrowed plume, and now and
then wear a tittering air, 't is only her plan to catch, if she can,
the giddy and gay, as they go that way, by a production on a new
construction; she has baited her trap, in hopes to snap all that may
come, with a sugar-plum.' His opinion in this will not be amiss; 't
is what I intend my principal end; and if I succeed, and folks
should read, till a few are brought to a serious thought, I shall
think I am paid for all I have said, and all I have done, though I
have run, many a time, after rhyme, as far as from hence, to the end
of my sense, and, by hook or crook, write another book, if I live
and am here, another year.
"I heard before of a room, with a floor laid upon springs, and such
like things, with so much art, in every part, that when you went in,
you was forced to begin a minuet pace, with an air and a grace,
swimming about, now in and now out, with a deal of state, in a
figure of eight, without pipe or string, or any such thing; and now
I have writ, in a rhyming fit, what will make you dance, and, as you
advance, will keep you still, though against your will, dancing
away, alert and gay, till you come to an end of what I have penned;
which that you may do ere madam and you are quite worn out with
jigging about, I take my leave; and here you receive a bow profound,
down to the ground, from your humble me,
"W. C."
"We have met the enemy, and they are ours" is an example for naval
letters. Commodore Walton's letter, by which he gave information of
his capture of a number of Spanish vessels of war, was as follows:
"We have taken or destroyed all the enemy's ships or vessels on the
coast, as per margin."
Some letters have been distinguished for a play upon words. The
following is supposed to have been written by one Zebel Rock, a
stone-cutter, to a young lady for whom he cherished a love somewhat
more than Platonic:
"DIVINE FLINT: Were you not harder than Porphyry or Agate, the
Chisel of my love, drove by the Mallet of my fidelity, would have
made some impression on thee. I, that have shaped as I pleased the
most untoward of substances, hoped by the Compass of reason, the
Plummet of discretion, the Saw of constancy, the soft File of
kindness, and the Polish of good words, to have modelled you into
one of the prettiest Statues in the world; but, alas! I find you are
a Flint, that strikes fire, and sets my soul in a blaze, though your
heart is as cold as marble. Pity my case, pray, madam, for I know
not what I say or do. If I go to make a Dragon, I strike out a
Cupid; instead of an Apothecary's Mortar, I make a Church Font for
Baptism; and, dear Pillar of my hopes, Pedestal of my comfort, and
Cornice of my joy, take compassion upon me, for upon your pity I
build all my hope, and will, if fortunate, erect Statues, Obelisks
and Pyramids, to your generosity."
The custom of espionage among some nations, which led the government
officials' to open all letters supposed to contain matters at
variance with the plans and purposes of their masters, induced the
inventive to contrive various means of correspondence.
One of the most singular of these was that adopted by Histaus, the
Milesian, as related by Herodotus. Histaus was "kept by Darius at
Susa, under an honorable pretence, and, despairing of his return
home, unless he could find out some way that he might be sent to
sea, he purposed to send to Aristagoras, who was his substitute at
Miletum, to persuade his revolt from Darius; but, knowing that all
passages were stopped and studiously watched, he took this course:
he got a trusty servant of his, the hair of whose head he caused to
be shaved off, and then, upon his bald head, he wrote his mind to
Aristagoras; kept him privately about him, till his hair was
somewhat grown, and then bid him haste to Aristagoras, and bid him
cause him to be shaved again, and then upon his head he should find
what his lord had written to him."
A VISION OF REALITY.
Again I turned;
I wished to go,
No more to know.
I turned me, but no guide stood there;
Alone, I shrieked in wild dismay,
When, lo! the vision passed away,--
I found me seated in my chair.
The morning sun was shining bright,
Fair children gambolled in my sight;
A rose-bush in my window stood,
And shed its fragrance all around;
My eye saw naught but fair and good,
My ear heard naught but joyous sound.
I asked me, can it be on earth
Such scenes of horror have their birth,
As those that in my vision past,
And on my mind their shadows cast?
Can it be true, that men do pour
Foul poison forth for sake of gold?
And men lie weltering in their gore,
Led on by that their brethren sold?
Doth man so bend the supple knee
To Mammon's shrine, he never hears
The voice of conscience, nor doth see
His ruin in the wealth he rears?
Such questions it were vain to ask,
For Reason whispers, "It is so;"
While some in fortune's sunshine bask,
Others lie crushed beneath their woe.
And men do sell, and men do pour,
And for their gold return men death;
Though wives and children them implore,
With tearful eyes and trembling breath,
And hearts with direst anguish riven,
No more to sell,--'t is all in vain;
They, urged to death, by avarice driven,
But laugh and turn to sell again.
"THERE! Mr. McKenzie, I declare! You are the most oncommon, oncivil
man I ever sot eyes on!"
"Then do so."
"Therefore,--"
Mr. McKenzie, having said thus much, placed his hat on his head and
rushed from the house, fearful of another onslaught of "oncommon
oncivilities."
A little shop at the North End,--seven men seated round said shop,--a
small dog growling at a large cat, a large cat making a noise
resembling that produced by root-beer confined in a stone bottle by
a cork bound down with a piece of twine. Reader, imagine you see and
hear all this!
"Resolved, That-we-wont-stand-it-any-longer!!!
The chairman sat down, and, the question being put, it was more than
unanimously voted (inasmuch as one man voted with both hands
That was McKenzie. ) to adopt the resolutions, the name, and all the
remarks that had been made in connection with them. Members paid
their assessments, and with a hearty good will.
Thus we see how "oaks from acorns grow." Mrs. McKenzie's fretfulness
on account of her husband's patriotism led to the formation of a
society that will make rapid strides towards the front rank of the
army now at work for the amelioration of the condition of mankind.
CHAPTER I.
It was, indeed, a blessed time for the city of the seven hills; and
its people rejoiced as they had not for many a long, long year-ay,
for a century.
"Peace, sweet peace, a thousand blessings attend thy glad reign. See
you how quietly the peasant's flocks graze on our eternal hills? The
tinkling bell is a sweeter sound than the trumpet's blast; and the
curling smoke, arising from the hearth-stones of contented
villagers, is a truer index of a nation's power than the sulphurous
cloud from the field of battle. What say you, Alett,--is it not?"
Alett was ever in the presence of her father, or the young man whose
apostrophe to peace we have just given.
The sun was about going down, and its long, golden rays streamed
over hill and dale, palace and cot, clothing all in a voluptuous
flow of rich light.
They had stood for several moments in silence, gazing at the quiet
and beautiful scene before them, when the musical voice of Rubineau
broke forth in exclamations of delight at the blessings of peace.
"Even so it is. Holy Peace! It. is strange that men will love the
trumpet's blast, and the smoke and the heat of the conflict, better
than its gentle scenes. Peace, peace! blessings on thee, as thou
givest blessings!"
She, the daughter of an officer, brought up amid all the glare and
glitter, show and blazonry, of military life,--she, who had seen but
one side of the great panorama of martial life,--to speak thus in
praise of peace, and disparagingly of the profession of her
friends-it somewhat surprised the first speaker.
"I do, but I love Rubineau more. There are warriors enough ready for
the battle. It need not be that you go. But why this alarm? We were
talking of peace, and, behold, now we have the battle-field before
us-war and all its panoply!"
CHAPTER II.
Twelve months had passed since the time of the last chapter, and,
after repeated threatening, war had actually begun. Instead of idle
hours, the soldiers had busy moments, and every preparation was made
to meet the opposing array in a determined manner, and with a
steadiness of purpose that should insure success.
Day by day these rumors increased, and the gathering together of the
soldiery betokened the certainty of an event which would fall as a
burning meteor in the midst of the betrothed and their friends.
The call for Rubineau to depart was urgent, and its answer admitted
of no delay.
"To remain," said the general, "will be dishonor; to go may be
death: which will you choose?"
It was a hard question for the young man to answer. But it must be
met. The general loved him, and with equal unwillingness the
question was presented and received.
The next morning Rubineau was to depart. All the happy scenes of the
coming week were to be delayed, and the thought that they might be
delayed long-ay, forever-came like a shadow of evil to brood in
melancholy above the place and the hour.
"Whatever befalls me, I shall not forget you, Alett. Let us hope for
the best. Yet a strange presentiment I have that I shall not
return."
"O that I could go with you!" said Alett. "Think you father would
object?"
"That were impossible. Nothing but love, true and enduring, could
make such a proposal. It would be incurring a two-fold danger."
In such conversation the night passed, and when the early light of
morning came slowly up the eastern sky, the sound of a trumpet
called him away.
The waving of a white flag was the last signal, and the general, all
unused to tears as he was, mingled his with those of his family as
the parting kiss was given, and Rubineau started on a warfare the
result of which was known only to Him who governs the destinies of
nations and of individuals.
And now, in the heat of the conflict, the war raged furiously.
Rubineau threw himself in the front rank, and none was more brave
than he. It seemed to his fellow-officers that he was urged on by
some unseen agency, and guarded from injury by some spirit of good.
They had achieved several victories, and were making an onset upon
numbers four-fold as large as their own, when their leader received
a severe wound, and, falling from his noble horse, would have been
trampled to death by his followers, had not those who had seen him
fall formed a circle around as a protection for him.
This serious disaster did not dampen the ardor of the soldiers;
they pressed on, carried the point, and saw the foe make a rapid
retreat.
The shouts of victory that reached the ears of Rubineau came with a
blessing. He raised himself, and shouted, "On, brave men!" But the
effort was too much for him to sustain for any length of time, and
he fell back completely exhausted.
He was removed to a tent, and had every attention bestowed upon him.
As night approached, and the cool air of evening fanned his brow, he
began to revive, but not in any great degree.
The surgeon looked sad. There was evidently reason to fear the
worst; and, accustomed as he was to such scenes, he was now but
poorly prepared to meet it.
And it was so. His friends had gathered around his couch, and,
conscious of the approach of his dissolution, he bade them all
farewell, and kissed them.
"Tell her I love, I die an honorable death; tell her that her
Rubineau fell where the arms of the warriors clashed the closest,
and that victory hovered above him as his arm grew powerless; and,
O, tell her that it was all for her sake,--love for her nerved his
arm, and love for her is borne upward on his last, his dying prayer.
Tell her to love as I--"
"A brave man has fallen," remarked another, as he raised his arm,
and wiped the flowing tears from his cheek.
CHAPTER III.
At the mansion of the old general every arrival of news from the war
sent a thrill of joy through the hearts of its inmates. Hitherto,
every despatch told of victory and honor; but now a sad chapter was
to be added to the history of the conflict.
In her wild frenzy of grief, she gave utterance to the deep feelings
of her soul with words that told how deep was her sorrow, and how
unavailing every endeavor which friends exerted to allay its pangs.
She would not believe him dead. She would imagine him at her side,
and would talk to him of peace, "sweet peace," and laugh in clear
and joyous tones as she pictured its blessings, and herself enjoying
with him its comforts.
Thus, with enthroned reason, she would give vent to grief; and, with
her reason dethroned, be glad and rejoice.
Often, all day long, attired in bridal raiment, the same in which
she had hoped to be united indissolubly to Rubineau, she remained
seated in a large oaken chair, while at her side stood the helmet
and spear he had carried forth on the morning when they parted. At
such times, she was as calm as an infant's slumberings, saying that
she was waiting for the sound of the marriage-bells; asked why they
did not ring, and sat for hours in all the beauty of loveliness-the
Warrior's Bride.
A BROTHER'S WELCOME.
WELCOME, brother, welcome home!
Here's a father's hand to press thee;
Here's a mother's heart to bless thee;
Here's a brother's will to twine
Joys fraternal close with thine;
Here's a sister's earnest love,
Equalled but by that above;
Here are friends who once did meet thee,
Gathered once again to greet thee.
Welcome, brother, welcome home!
Thou hast wandered far away;
Many a night and many a day
We have thought where thou might'st be,
On the land or on the sea;
Whether health was on thy cheek,
Or that word we dare not speak
Hung its shadowy wing above thee,
Far away from those who love thee.
Welcome, brother, welcome home!
Here, where youthful days were spent
Ere life had its labor lent,
Where the hours went dancing by,
'Neath a clear, unclouded sky.
And our thanks for blessings rendered
Unto God were daily tendered,
Here as ever pleasures reign,
Welcome to these scenes again!
IT is well for man to consider the heavens, the work of God's hands;
the moon and the stars, which he has created. To look forth upon the
universe, of which we form a part, fills us with high and ennobling
thoughts, and inspires us with an earnest desire to press onward in
the endless path, at every step of which new wonders and new joys
spring up to greet our vision, and to gladden our souls.
Whichever way we look, above or below us, to the right or the left,
we find a boundless expanse teeming with life and its enjoyments.
This earth, large as it may appear to us, is less than a grain of
sand in size, when compared with the vastness around it.
Take your soul away from earth, and send it on a mission of research
among other worlds. Let it soar far away to where the dog-star,
Sirius, holds its course; and then, though nineteen billion two
hundred million miles from earth, a distance so great, that light,
travelling, as it does, at the rate of six million six hundred and
twenty thousand miles a minute, would require three years to pass
it,--even then, when the journeying spirit had reached such a point,
it might pass on and on,--new worlds meeting its gaze at every
advance, and new wonders being seen as far beyond the point it had
attained as the inconceivable length of the path it had already
travelled multiplied a myriad of times.
Can human mind mark that range? A thousand times nineteen billion
two hundred million! And were we to stand on the last of these
discovered stars, we might look yet far beyond, and see "infinity,
boundless infinity, stretching on, unfathomed, forever."
But there are more minute forms of creation than even those. Deposit
a grain, the four hundred and eightieth part of an ounce of musk, in
any place, and, for twenty years, it will throw off exhalations of
fragrance, without causing any perceptible decrease of weight. The
fragrance that for so many years goes forth from that minute portion
of matter is composed of particles of musk. How small must each of
those particles be, that follow each other in ceaseless succession
for twenty years, without lessening, to any perceptible degree, the
weight of the deposit! And yet we have not reached the monad. A
celebrated author
Here we must stop. Further advances are impossible, yet our end is
not attained; we have not yet reached the monad, for the animalcul�
and the less sentient particles of matter, light, are not, for they
are divisible.
The insect can be divided, because it has limbs with which to move;
and an intelligence higher than man can doubtless see emanations
from those particles of light. But a monad is indivisible! Think of
each cubic inch of this great earth containing a million grains of
sand, and those countless grains multiplied by one billion, or a
million-million, and that the product only shows the number of
particles of light that flow from a candle in one second of
time!-and not a monad yet! Minds higher than ours can separate each
of these particles, and yet perhaps they find not the indivisible,
but assign over to other minds the endless task.
With such thoughts let us return to our first point, and remark that
the star tens of billions of miles distant, one billion eight
hundred million miles in diameter, is but a monad when compared with
the creations of the vast universe of God!
Here the mind sinks within itself, and gladly relinquishes the
herculean task of endeavoring to comprehend, for a single moment, a
fractional part of the stupendous whole.
Deep below us, high above us, far as the eye of the mind can see
around us, are the works of our Creator, marshalled in countless
hosts. All animated by his presence, all breathed upon by his life,
inspired by his divinity, fostered by his love, supported by his
power.
There are all grades of beings, from the monad to the highest
intelligences, and man occupies his position in the endless chain.
Could you hear and see, as seraphs listen and behold, you would hear
one continuous song of glad praise go up from all creation; you
would see all things radiant with smiles, reflecting the joys of
heaven. And why? Because they follow nature's leading, and, in doing
so, live and move in harmony.
Who can scale the heights above us, or fathom the depths below us?
Who can comprehend the magnitude of countless worlds that roll in
space-the distance that separates the nearest orb from our earth,
the worlds of being in a drop of water, the mighty array of angel
forms that fill immensity?
Well may we exclaim, "Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord of
Hosts, and that my soul knoweth right well!"
A VISION OF HEAVEN.
THE FUGITIVES.
One evening, in the year one thousand eight hundred and I don't
remember what, after a somewhat fatiguing ride on horseback all day,
my heart was cheered on coming in view of the town. I had never
visited Tapville, but, from accounts I had heard, judged it to be a
sort of Pandemonium-a juvenile Bedlam. As I entered, troops of
children greeted me with shouts, and my horse with stones. Despite
of my treatment, I could not but compare their appearance, to say
nothing of their conduct, with those I had last seen in another
town, thirty miles distant. These were attired in rags, those in
good clothing; these with unwashed faces, uncombed hair, and bearing
every mark of neglect,--those bright and smiling, happy themselves,
and making all around them so.
There was a large building at my left, with a huge sign over its
principal door, from which I learned that "Good Entertainment for
Man and Beast" might be had within. Appearances, however, indicated
that a beast must be a very bad beast who would accept its
"entertainment."
A fat man, wearing a green jacket on his back, an old torn and
tattered straw hat on his head, and both hands in his pockets, stood
lazily at the door; before which half a score of dirty children were
playing with marbles, and a short distance from which a couple of
children were fighting, upon whose pugilistic exercises a woman,
with a child in her arms and a pipe in her mouth, was gazing with
intense interest.
The general appearance of the town was far from pleasing. At nearly
every window, hats, or shingles, or bundles of rags, took the place
of glass, and the doors, instead of being hung on hinges, were "set
up," liable to be set down by the first gust of wind.
Now and then, a bare-footed little child would run across my path,
and hurry out of sight, as if fearful of being seen where so much
that was neither of heaven nor of earth was discernible.
The old lady was one of those good-natured, motherly women, whom you
will find at the firesides of New England homes, generous to a
fault; and whom you cannot but love, for the interest she takes in
you, and the solicitude she manifests for your welfare.
A repast was soon at hand, and when it was over the lady said,
Tommy at this moment came in, happy and joyous; but, as soon as he
saw his mother and sister weeping, his whole appearance changed. He
approached his mother, and, looking up in her face, said, "Don't
cry, mother. Jenny will be better soon, and Tommy will work and make
you and her happy. Don't cry, mother!"
The child's simple entreaty brought more copiously the tears to the
mourner's eyes, and some time elapsed before they became in the
least degree comforted.
"You will excuse me, sir," said she, "I know you will, for my grief;
but, O, if temperance had been here ten years ago, we should have
been so happy!"
"Yes," said the boy; "then father would not have died a drunkard!"
"You must know, sir, that when we came here to live we were just
married. Alfred, my husband, was a good mechanic, industrious,
frugal and kind-hearted. He had by his labor and economy
accumulated a small amount, enough to purchase an estate consisting
of a house, shop and farm. He had many and good customers, and our
prospects were very fair. We attended church regularly, for we
thought that, after enjoying the bounties of a beneficent Ruler all
of six days, it was our duty, as well as privilege, to devote the
seventh to His praise.
"Years passed by, when one morning Jenny, who was then about seven
years old, came running in, and told me that a new store had been
opened; that the man had nothing but two or three little kegs, and a
few bottles and tumblers. I went out, and found it as she had
stated. There was the man; there was his store; there were his kegs,
bottles and tumblers.
"The next day some changes were made; a few signs were seen, and the
quiet villagers gazed in wonder, if not admiration, at the
inscriptions, 'Rum,' 'Gin,' 'Brandies,' 'Wines and Cigars.' Old men
shook their heads, and looked wise. Old women peered from beneath
their specs, and gave vent to many predictions. Children asked what
the words meant.
"That night I talked with my husband about it. He thought that there
was no danger; that social enjoyment would harm no one; and seemed
astonished, to use his own words, 'that such a sensible woman as I
was should express any anxiety about the matter.' That night, to me,
was a long and sad one. I feared the result of the too much
dependence on self which he seemed to cherish.
"But I will be brief. I need not tell you how, step by step, he
descended that ladder whose end rested in the grave. I need not tell
you how I warned him of dander; how I entreated him to avoid it;
how I watched him in sickness, and bathed his fevered brow; how my
heart was gladdened when I saw his health returning, and heard his
solemn promise to reform.
"Nor need I tell you how he was again led astray, and his hand
encircled that cup which he had once dashed aside. O, sir, he was a
good man; and, in his sober moments, he would weep like a child, as
he thought of his situation! He would come to me and pour out his
soul in gratitude for my kindness; and would beg my forgiveness, in
the tenderest manner, till his heart became too full for utterance,
and his repentance found vent in his tears.
"When I recovered, Alfred remained for some time sober and happy.
But he fell! Yes, sir; but God knows he tried to stand, and would
have done so had not the owner of that groggery, by foul stratagem,
hurled him to the ground. I went, my daughter went, friends went, to
ask the destroyer of our happiness to desist; but he turned us away
with an oath and a laugh, saying, 'he would sell to all who wanted.'
"He who has caused this change is now the wealthiest man in town.
You might have seen his stately palace as you rode up, environed
with fruits and flowers. He lives there; but, within the shade of
that mansion, are the wretched hovels of those upon whose ruin he
sits enthroned. He has roses and fruits at his door, but they have
been watered by widows' tears; and the winds that reach his home
amid rich vines and laden trees may bear to his ears the orphan's
cry, from whose mouth he has taken the daily bread."
When the old lady had finished her narrative, she could restrain her
tears no longer, and they burst forth as freely as at first.
I inquired whether there were any beside herself who would become
interested in a temperance movement. She replied that there were
many, but they wished some one to start it.
I had left a gentleman at the town I last came from, who was an
eloquent advocate; and my first act, after listening to the widow's
narrative, was to write a note, and send it in all possible haste to
him.
The next day he came; and, if you could have seen the joy of that
family as I told them that we had announced a meeting, you would
have some faint idea of the happiness which the temperance reform
has produced.
From what I had learned, I expected that we should meet with some
opposition from the wealthy individual before alluded to, or from
his agents, who were so blinded to their own interests that they
could not be easily induced to move for their own good.
The evening came, and the room we had engaged was well filled. My
friend arose, when a stone, hurled at him from without, missed its
aim, and struck a lamp at his side, dashing it into a hundred
fragments. Little disconcerted at this, he began his address; and,
in a short time, gained the attention of the audience in so perfect
a manner, that they heeded not the attempts of a noisy crowd without
to disturb them.
He continued on. Men leaned forward to catch his words, and some
arose and stood as motionless as statues, with eyes fixed intently
on the speaker. Women wept; some in sorrow for the past, others in
joy for the future. A deep feeling pervaded all. The disturbance
without ceased, and one by one the disturbers came to the door; one
by one they entered, and began to feel the truths which the speakers
uttered.
The only interruption was made by an aged man, who bowed his silvery
head, and, in trembling accents, moaned out, "My son, my son!" These
words, uttered at the expiration of every few minutes, increased the
solemnity of the occasion, and added power to the lecturer's
remarks, for all knew the story of his son, and all knew that he was
carried home dead from the groggery.
When, at the end of the lecture, it was asked who would sign the
pledge, the whole assembly started to respond to the call, and each
one that night became pledged to total abstinence.
The facts were presented. They saw that their customers had all left
them, and why should they continue? It would be a losing business.
The effect of the moral suasion had been powerful; it labored with
the very soul of the traffic, with those who put the pence in the
dealers' coffers. It was more powerful than all laws that could have
been enacted. Forbidding them to sell while customers crowded their
doors would have had no effect, unless to create riot; inducing
their customers to leave them soon induced them to leave the
business, for where there are none to buy there will be none to
sell.
By the light of that fire my friend and I left the town; and when
far away we could see its glare, and hear the shouts of a
disenthralled people.
I called at the widow's cottage; Tommy ran out to meet me, and I
received a welcome I shall never forget. But Jenny was no more; with
her last breath she had blessed the temperance cause, and then her
pure spirit winged its way to that home where sorrows never come,
and where the troubles of earth are forgotten amid the joys of
heaven.
This broad, broad land for cost more dear than gold.
And yet 't is not enough; the cry for more
Hath vexed the Indian, till the Atlantic's wave
Now blends with it the thunder of its roar,
And soon shall sound the requiem o'er the grave
"I was born. I came into this world without any consent of my own,
sir, and as soon as I breathed the atmosphere of this mundane state
I was bandaged and pinned, and felt very much as a mummy might be
supposed to feel. I was then tossed from Matilda to Jerusha, and
from Jerusha to Jane, and from Jane to others and others. I tried to
laugh, but found I could n't; so I tried to cry, and succeeded most
admirably in my effort.
"'He's sick,' said my aunt; and my aunt called a doctor, who, wise
man, called for a slip of paper and an errand-boy.
"The next I knew, my head was being held by my aunt, and the doctor
was pouring down my throat, which he distended with the handle of a
spoon, a bitter potion; pouring it down without any consent of my
own, sir.
"Whether I got better or worse I don't know; but I slept for a time,
and had a strange dream, of a strange existence, upon which I seemed
to have suddenly entered.
"The subsequent year was one in which I figured not largely, but
considerably. I made a noise in the world, and was flattered so much
by my mother's acquaintances that my nose has been what is vulgarly
called 'a pug,' ever since. I did n't have my own way at all, except
when I screamed. In that I was not an Automaton. I was myself in
that particular; and the more restraint they put upon me, the more
freedom I had. I cried independently of all my aunts and cousins.
They could n't dictate me in that.
"That day came. I remember it was a cloudy day. There was a dull
shadow over everything. Yes, even over my heart. I didn't want to go
to college. I knew I hadn't been allowed to learn anything I wanted
to learn out of it; and I knew I should n't do any better shut up
within its old dingy, musty, brick walls. I knew I should n't learn
anything there. I had rather be out in the world. I had rather be
studying in Nature's great college. I had rather graduate with a
diploma from God, written on my heart, than to waste years of life
away from the great school of human life; to be told by another how
I should go, what I should believe, and how I should act, in the
great drama of life. But I had to go, sir,--go to college; for I was
an Automaton.
"As I before said, the day was cloudy. Mother dressed me up. For a
week preparations had been making for my exit, and finally I went. I
was put in a stage where three men were smoking. I objected, and
intimated that it would be much better if those who smoked rode on
the outside; but my father said, 'hush,' and told me that smoking
was common at college, and I must get used to it. When the stage
stopped to change horses, the men got out, and swore, and drank
brandy; and I asked whether such things were common at college, and
whether I had got to get used to them too. But I could n't get any
answer.
"The wind blew cold, but my coat was made so small that I could n't
button it together. I would have had it loose and easy, and warm and
comfortable; but 't was n't fashionable to have it so. Father
followed fashion, and I suffered from the cold. I had a nice, soft
cap, that I used to wear to church at home; but father thought that,
as I was going to the city, I must have a hat; so he had bought me
one, and the hard, stiff, ungainly thing was stuck on my head. I had
as lieves have had a piece of stove-pipe there. It made my head ache
awfully.
"If I had n't been what I was, I should have worn a nice, easy pair
of shoes; but I was an Automaton. I was n't anybody; so I was made
to wear a pair of thin boots, that clung to my feet a great deal
closer than my skin did,--a great deal, sir.
"I was ushered in, and my college life began. To narrate to you all
that made up that life, would be irksome to me and tedious to you. I
was taught much that I didn't believe then, and don't believe now,
and don't think I ever shall. I was made to subscribe to certain
forms, and with my lips to adopt certain views, which my heart all
the time rebelled against, and reason told me were false. But I said
I believed, and I did believe after the fashion of the times; for I
believe it's fashionable to believe what you don't know anything
about, and the more of this belief you have the better you are. So I
believed what my teachers told me, because-why, because I was an
Automaton.
"One day,--it was but a week after I had returned,--my father took me
into his room, and said he had something to say to me. I knew very
well, before he said so, that something out of the usual course was
to take place; for, all the morning, he had been as serious and
reserved as a deacon at a funeral, and I had caught him holding sly
talks with my mother in out-of-the-way places.-I knew something was
to happen.
"I sat down, and he did. And then he went on to say that I had
probably had some thoughts of marriage. I merely responded, 'Some.'
"He then remarked that every young man should calculate to get a
wife and settle down; and that 'old folks' had had experience, and
knew a vast deal more about such things than young folks did; and
that the latter, when they followed the advice of the former, always
were well-to-do in the world, always were respected.
"I began to see what he was driving at. I looked very serious at
him, and he a great deal more so at me.
"He then drew his chair closer mine, lowered the tone of his voice,
and said,
"'I've picked out a wife for you. It's Squire Parsons' daughter,
Susan Jane Maria. She'll be an excellent wife to you, and mother to
your children.'
"If I had been anything else than what I was, I should have sprang
up and declared my own ability to choose a wife for me and 'a mother
for my children;' but I did n't do any such thing. I nodded a calm
assent to all he said; for you know, sir; I was an Automaton.
"I was to go with my father, that night, and see Susan,--she that was
to be my Susan,--O, no, not so; I was to be her Jacob. So, when tea
was over, and I had been 'fixed up,'-I was fixed, I tell you,--father
led the way over Higginses' rough pasture. I should have gone round,
in the road, where it was decent walking, if I had been anybody; but
I was n't any one; I was a--well, you know what. I got one of my
boots full of water, and father fell down and bruised his nose; but
I took off my boot and poured the water out, and he put a piece of
court-plaster on his nose,--a great black piece,--and we did n't look
as bad as we might, so he said; and so I said, 'of course.'
"It seemed to me that she knew all about what I came for; for she
put out her little slim hand, that never made a loaf of bread nor
held a needle, but had only fingered the leaves of Greek and Latin
Lexicons, and volumes of Zoology and Ornithology, and thrummed
piano-keys,--all very well in their place (don't think I depreciate
them), but very bad when their place is so large that there's no
room for anything else,--very bad, sir.
"As she took my hand she attempted to kiss me; but, being rather
shy, I dodged when I saw her lips a-coming, and they went plump on
to father's nose, and exploded on his piece of court-plaster.
"It was all fixed that night, and I was to be married one week from
the ensuing Sunday.
"We went home. I received a smile from those who were so considerate
as to hunt me up a wife.
"If you'd seen the Greentown Gazette a fortnight after, and had
looked at the list of marriages, you might have read, 'Married: In
this town, by Rev. Ebenezer Pilgrade, Mr. Jacob Jenkins, Jr.
(recently from college), to Susan Jane Maria Parsons, estimable
daughter of Nehemiah Q. Parsons; all of this place.'
"We lived at home. My wife soon found out what I was, found out that
I was an Automaton, and she pulled the wires and put me in motion,
in any way she wished. I opened an office, put out a sign, and for a
time practised law and physic, and when the minister was sick took
his place and preached. I preached just what they wanted me to. I
felt more like an Automaton than ever, stuck up in a high box,
talking just what had been talked a thousand times from the same
place. It would n't do, I was told, to have any ideas of my own;
and, if had them, I must n't speak them. So my parish and me got
along pretty well.
"Of course I had joined the church. I was told that I must, and so I
did; but I won't tell you what my thoughts were in regard to what I
was told to believe, for that's delicate ground. I don't know what
your religion is, sir, and I might offend you, and I would n't do so
for the world. You see I am an Automaton yet. I'll do just as you
want me to. I hate to be so; but, somehow or other, I can't be
otherwise. It's my nature.
"You think I'm prosy. I won't say much more, for I see you take out
your watch as though you wished I'd stop, that you might go; so I'll
close with 'finally,' as I do in preaching.
"Well, then, finally, father died, mother died, Susan run off, and
I've become almost discouraged. I have three children to take care
of, but they are good children. They do just precisely as I tell
them, and won't do anything without asking me whether it's right;
and I ask somebody else. They have n't got any minds of their own,
any more than I have. They'll do just as I tell them. I've nobody in
particular now to tell me what I shall do; so I take everybody's
advice, and try to do as everybody wants me to do. I've come to
Boston on a visit, and shall go back to-night, if you think best.
"Now I've given you my autobiography. You can do just what you want
to with it,--print it, if you like. People, perhaps, will laugh at me
when they read it; but perhaps there are other Automatons besides
me."
TO A SISTER IN HEAVEN.
It was the first day of the trial, and the excitement was intense.
The court-house was filled at an early hour to its utmost capacity,
whilst the lanes leading to it were completely blocked up with
crowds of inquisitive inquirers. The professor left his study, the
trader his accounts, and the mechanic dismissed for a while the toil
of his avocation.
The judges had arrived; the counsel of both parties were at their
respective desks; all were eager to get a full sight-if not this, a
passing glance-at the prisoner's face. They were looking for his
arrival, and if a close carriage drew near, they believed he was
within, until the carriage passing by withered all their hopes, and
blasted their fond expectations. Such was the state of feeling when
a rumor began to pass round that he, the prisoner, had been
privately conveyed into court. Some believed, and some disbelieved;
some went away, whilst others remained, not giving up all hope of
having their desire gratified.-But why all this?
Various were the tricks played upon Lorenzo by the boys of the town.
At times they would place logs of wood against his door, and arrange
them in such a position that when the door was opened they would
inevitably fall in; yet he did not care for this,--we mean he found
no fault with this trick, for he usually claimed the fuel for
damages occasioned by its coming in too close proximity with his
aged self.
Immediate efforts were made and measures taken to ferret out the
perpetrator of this daring crime. These were, for a considerable
length of time, fruitless, and, the excitement that at first arose
being somewhat quelled, some thought the search that had been
instituted was given, or about to be given, up, when a man by the
name of Smith came forward, and stated that, about nine days
previous to the discovery, as he was passing the house of the
deceased, he heard a faint cry, as of one in distress, and, turning
round, noticed a young man running in great haste. He, at the time,
thought little of this incident, as he supposed the boys were
engaged in some of their tricks. It had entirely passed his
recollection, until, hearing of the murder, he instantly recollected
the circumstance, and now he did not entertain a doubt that the
young man whom he saw was the murderer.
It appeared strange to some that this man had not made all this
known before; and that now, at so late a period, he should come
forward and with such apparent eagerness make the disclosures. Being
asked why he had not come forward before, he promptly replied that
he did not wish to suspect any person, for fear he might be
mistaken.
Efforts were now made, and excitement had again risen, to find out a
young man answering the description given by Smith, whom he alleged
to be one short in stature, and wearing a fur cap. Pedro Castello,
by birth an Italian, by trade a jeweller, who had resided in the
town a few years, was of this description. He was not very tall,
neither very short; but the fur cap he wore made up all deficiencies
in stature. Smith swore to his identity, and, at his instigation, he
was arrested, and with great coolness and self-possession passed
through a short examination, which resulted in his being placed in
custody to await his trial at the next session of a higher court.
The only evidence against him was that of Smith and his son; that of
the former was in substance what has already been stated, and that
of the latter only served to support and partially confirm the
evidence of the former. A host of townsmen appeared to attest to the
good character of the accused; and, with such evidence for and
against, he was committed.
Never was man led to prison who behaved with a greater degree of
composure. Conscious of his innocence, he acted not the part of a
guilty man, but, relying upon justice for an impartial trial, he
walked with a firm step, and unflinchingly entered a felon's cell.
In two months his trial was to commence, and that short period soon
elapsed. The morning of the trial came; all was excitement, as we
have before said. A trial for murder! Such an event forms an era in
the history of a town, from which many date. That one so long
esteemed as an excellent neighbor, and of whose untarnished
character there could be no doubt, should be suddenly arrested,
charged with the committal of a crime at the thought of which human
nature revolts, was a fact the belief of which was hardly credible.
He himself remained not unmoved by the vast concourse of spectators;
he thought he could read in the pitying glance of each an acquittal.
An acquittal at the bar of public opinion always has and always will
be esteemed of more value than one handed in by a jury of twelve;
yet by that jury of twelve men he was to be tried,--he must look to
them for his release, if he was to obtain it. Their decision would
condemn him to an ignoble death, or bid him go forth once more a
free man. He had obtained the best of counsel, by whose advice he
selected, from twenty-five jurors, twelve, whose verdict was to seal
his fate.
The counsel for the defendant stated, in the opening, that all he
should attempt to prove would be the bad character of the principal
witness, John Smith, and the unexceptionable character of the
prisoner. He would prove that the reputation of Smith for truth and
veracity was bad, and that therefore no reliance could be placed
upon his statements. He should present the facts as they were, and
leave it to them to say whether his client was innocent or guilty.
A person by the name of Renza was first called, who stated that for
about two years he had resided in the house with the prisoner; that
he esteemed him as a friend; that the prisoner had treated him as a
brother,--had never seen anything amiss in his conduct,--at night he
came directly home from his place of business, was generally in at
nine, seldom out later than ten,--remembered the night in
question,--thought he was in about ten, but was not certain on that
point,--had been acquainted with John Smith for a number of
years,--had not said much to him during that time,--had often seen him
walking about the streets,--had known him to be quarrelsome and
avaricious, easily provoked, and rather lacking in good principle.
After a few cross-questions the witness took his seat.
Seven others were called, whose testimony was similar to the above,
placing the evidence of the principal government witness in rather a
disagreeable light. The evidence being in on both sides, the
prisoner's counsel stood forth to vindicate the innocence of
Castello. For three hours he faithfully advocated the cause, dwelt
long upon the reputation of Smith, and asked whether a man should be
convicted upon such rotten evidence. He brought to light the
character of Smith, and that of Castello; placed them in contrast,
and bade them judge for themselves. He wished to inquire why Smith,
when he heard the terrible scream, when he saw a person running from
the place whence the sound proceeded, why, when he heard and beheld
all this, he did not make an alarm; why did Smith keep it a secret,
and not till nine days had elapsed make this known? "Perhaps he
would reply," argued the counsel, "that he did not wish to suspect
any person, fearing the person suspected might be the wrong one; if
so, why did he not inform of the person he saw running? If he was
not the doer of the deed, perhaps he might relate something that
would lead to the detection of him who was. Beside, if he had doubts
whether it was right to inform then, why does he do so now with so
much eagerness? It would be natural for one, after hearing such
fearful noises,--after seeing what he testifies to having seen,--to
have related it to some one; but no-Smith keeps all this important
information treasured up, and not till two weeks had nearly passed
does he disclose it. But, gentlemen, I have my doubts as to the
truth of John's evidence. It is my firm belief that he never saw a
person running from that house; he might have heard the noise-I will
not dispute that. I believe his story has been cut and dried for the
occasion, and surely nine days and nights have afforded him ample
time to do so. The brains of an ox could concoct such ideas in nine
days. Now comes the inquiry, why should he invent such a story? Of
what benefit can it be to him to appear in a crowded courtroom?
Gentlemen, I confess myself unable to give you his reasons; to him
and to his God they are only known. The veil which, in my opinion,
now shrouds this affair, will some day be withdrawn, and we shall
know the truth, even as it is."
The defence here closed. The officer for the prosecution now arose,
and with equal faithfulness and ability argued his side of the
question. He thought the reasons why Smith had not before informed
were full and explicit; and, as to the testimony of the eight as to
the past good character of the prisoner, he saw no reason why a man
should be always good because for two or more years he had been so.
A great temptation was presented; he was young--perhaps at the
moment regardless of the result, the penalty of the crime; he did
not resist, but yielded; and as to the argument of the learned
counsel, that Mr. S. did not see what he testifies to have seen, it
is useless to refute such an unfounded allegation. Can you suppose
Smith to be benefited by this prosecution further than to see
justice have its dues? Settle it then in your minds that Mr. Smith
did actually see all he says he did. We come next to the description
given by Smith of the man seen. He said he was short in stature, and
wearing a fur cap. Look at the prisoner,--is he not short?-and the
testimony of two of the previous witnesses distinctly affirm that
for the past six weeks he has worn a fur cap. What more evidence do
you want to prove his guilt?
It was near the dusk of the second day's trial that the judge arose
to charge the jury. He commented rather severely upon the attempt to
impeach the character of Smith. His address was not lengthy; and in
about thirty minutes the jury retired, while a crowded audience
anxiously waited their return. It was not till the rays of the
morning sun began to be seen that it was rumored that they had
arrived at a decision and would soon enter. All was silent as the
tomb. The prisoner, although aware that his life was at stake, sat
in great composure, frequently holding converse with his friends who
gathered around. How anxiously all eyes were turned towards the door
by which they were to enter, wishing, yet dreading, to hear the
final secret! The interest of all watched their movements and seemed
to read acquittal upon each juror's face. The prisoner arose, the
foreman and he looking each other in the face. The clerk put the
question, "Guilty, or not guilty?" The ticking of the clock was
distinctly heard. "Guilty!" responded the foreman. A verdict so
unexpected by all could not be received in silence, and, as with one
voice, the multitude shouted "False! false! FALSE!" With great
difficulty were they silenced and restrained from rescuing the
prisoner, who, though greatly disappointed, heard the verdict
without much agitation. Innocent, he was convinced that justice
would finally triumph, though injustice for a moment might seem to
have the ascendency.
One week had passed. Sentence had been pronounced upon the young
Italian, and, notwithstanding the strenuous efforts his friends made
for his pardon, he was committed to prison to await the arrival of
that day when innocence should suffer in the place of guilt, and he
should by the rough hands of the law be unjustly dragged to the
gallows, and meet his death at so wretched a place; yet far better
was it for him, and of this was he aware, to be led to that place
free, from the blood of all men, than to proceed there a guilty
criminal, his hands dyed in the warm blood of a fellow-creature,
pointed out as a murderer, and looked upon but with an eye of
condemnation. He was certain that in the breasts of hundreds a
spark, yea, a burning flame, of pity shone for him,--that he met not
his death uncared for,--that many a tear would flow in pity for him,
and that he would wend his way to the scaffold comforted by the
consciousness of his innocence, and consoled by many dear friends.
The day had arrived for the execution, and crowds of people flocked
to the spot to gratify their love of sight-seeing-to allay their
curiosity-even though that sight were nothing less than the death of
a fellow-being. Crowds had assembled. A murder had been committed,
and now another was to follow. To be sure it was to be executed
"according to law," but that law was inspired with the spirit of
revenge. Its motto was "blood for blood." It forgot the precepts of
Christ, "forgive your enemies;" and that that which is a wrong when
committed by one in secret, is no less a wrong when committed by
many, or by their sanction, in public. The condemned stood upon the
death-plank, yet he hoped justice would be done. "Hope!" what a
cheering word! 't will nerve man for every trial. Yes, Castello
hoped, and relied upon that kind arm that had hitherto supported
him, and had enabled him to bear up under an accumulated mass of
affliction. He had a full consciousness of innocence, and to the
oft-repeated inquiry as to his state of mind he replied, "I am
innocent, and that truth is to me better than gold."
"'I'm rich; too bad Pedro should die; but I'm rich; no matter, I'm
rich. Kings kill their millions for a little money. I only kill one
man; in six months 't will be forgotten; then I'll go to the bank of
earth back of the red mill and get the gold; I placed it there safe,
and safe it is. Ha, ha! I made that story in nine days-so I did, and
might have made it in less; let him die. But supposing I should be
detected; then it may be that I shall find that Pedro is right when
he says there is something better than gold. But I am in no danger.
The secret is in my own heart, locked up, and no one has the key but
myself; so cheer thee, my soul, I'm safe!-and yet I don't feel
right. I shall feel, when Pedro dies; that I kill him; but why
should I care? I who have killed one, may kill another!'
"'This gold and silver is the property of Pedan, who enjoyed it but
little himself; he leaves it to posterity, and hopes that they may
find more pleasure and more satisfaction in its use than he ever
did.'
The executioner obeyed the mandate of the sheriff, and stayed his
avenging hand.
"Better than gold!" shouted the prisoner, and sank helpless upon the
platform.
That day John Smith was arrested, and, being bluntly charged with
the murder, confessed all. Castello was immediately released, and
went forth a free man.
In four weeks Smith was no more of earth; he had paid the penalty of
his crimes, and died not only a murderer but a perjured man.
The next Sabbath the pastor of the church discoursed upon the
subject, and an indescribable thrill pervaded the hearts of some of
the people as they repeated the words, "Forgive us our trespasses as
we forgive those who trespass against us."
GONE AWAY.
LINES TO MY WIFE.
CHEER UP.
FROM the earliest ages of society some means have been resorted to
whereby to give publicity to business which would otherwise remain
in comparative privacy. The earliest of modes adopted was the crying
of names in the streets; and before the invention of printing men
were employed to traverse the most frequented thoroughfares, to
stand in the market-places and other spots of resort, and, with loud
voices, proclaim their message to the people. This mode is not
altogether out of use at the present time; yet it is not generally
considered a desirable one, inasmuch as it does not accomplish its
purpose so readily or completely as any one of the numerous other
methods resorted to.
England and France have taken the lead in this mode of giving
publicity to business; but the United States, with its unwillingness
to be beat in any way, on any terms, has made such rapid strides of
late in this enterprise, that the English lion will be left in the
rear, and the French eagle far in the background.
And thus it is, the world is one great Babel. All is business,
business, and we ask for "some vast wilderness" in which to lie down
and get cool, and keep quiet.
In Paris, the people long since adopted a plan which has not yet
come in vogue among us. A long story is written; in the course of
this story, a dozen or more establishments receive the author's
laudations, which are so ingeniously interwoven that the reader is
scarcely aware of the design. For instance, Marnetta is going to an
evening party. In the morning she goes out, and is met by a sprig of
gentility, a young man of fashion, who cannot allow her to omit
entering the unrivalled store of Messrs. Veuns, where the most
beautiful silks, etc., are to be seen and purchased. Leaving this,
she next encounters a young lady acquaintance of prudent and
economical habits, by whom, "our heroine" is led into a store where
beauty and elegance are combined with durability and a low price.
She wishes perfumery; so she hastens to Viot & Sons; for none make
so good as they, and the fragrance of their store has been wafted on
the winds of all nations.
Thus is the story led on from one step to another, with its interest
not in the least abated, to the end. This embraces "puffery," as it
is called. And, while on this subject, we may as well bring up the
following specimen of this species of advertising. It was written by
Peter Seguin, on the occasion of the first appearance in Dublin of
the celebrated Mrs. Siddons. It caused much merriment at the time
among some, while in others, who could not relish a joke, it excited
anger.
"The house was crowded with hundreds more than it could hold, with
thousands of admiring spectators that went away without a sight.
This extraordinary phenomenon of tragic excellence! this star of
Melpomene! this comet of the stage! this sun of the firmament of the
Muses! this moon of blank verse! this queen arch-princess of tears!
this Donnellan of the poisoned bowl! this empress of the pistol and
dagger! this child of Shakspeare! this world of weeping clouds! this
Juno of commanding aspects! this Terpsichore of the curtains and
scenes! this Proserpine of fire and earthquake! this Katterfelto of
wonders! exceeded expectation, went beyond belief, and soared above
all the natural powers of description! She was nature itself! she
was the most exquisite work of art! She was the very daisy,
primrose, tuberose, sweet-brier, furze-blossom, gilliflower,
wallflower, cauliflower, aurica and rosemary! In short, she was the
bouquet of Parnassus! Where expectation was raised so high, it was
thought she would be injured by her appearance; but it was the
audience who were injured; several fainted before the curtain drew
up! but when she came to the scene of parting with her wedding-ring,
all! what a sight was there! The fiddlers in the orchestra, 'albeit
unused to the melting mood!' blubbered like hungry children crying
for their bread and butter; and when the bell rang for music between
the acts, the tears ran from the bassoon player's eyes in such
plentiful showers, that they choked the finger-stops, and, making a
spout of the instrument, poured in such torrents on the first
fiddler's book, that, not seeing the overture was in two sharps, the
leader of the band actually played in one flat. But the sobs and
sighs of the groaning audience, and the noise of corks drawn from
the smelling-bottles, prevented the mistakes between the flats and
sharps being discovered. One hundred and nine ladies fainted!
forty-six went into fits! and ninety-five had strong hysterics! The
world will hardly credit the truth, when they are told that fourteen
children, five women, one hundred tailors, and six common-council
men, were actually drowned in the inundation of tears that flowed
from the galleries, the slips and the boxes, to increase the briny
pond in the pit; the water was three feet deep, and the people that
were obliged to stand upon the benches were in that position up to
their ancles in tears."
The Chinese are not behind the age in this business. The following
is an instance in proof:
JOY BEYOND.
Be passed away!
O, joyous hour! O, day most good and glorious!
When from the earth the ransomed rise victorious,
Such men as he will thrive; there is no mistake about it. This has
been called an age of invention and of humbug. Nothing is so
popular, or so much sought after, as that which cannot be explained,
and around which a mysterious shroud is closely woven.
My friend Arcanus came sweating and puffing into my room. I had just
finished my dinner, and was seated leisurely looking over a few
pages of manuscript, when he entered.
"News!" said he; and before I could hand him a chair he had told me
all about the last battle, and his tongue flew about with so much
rapidity, that a conflagration might have been produced by such
excessive friction, had not a rap at the door put a clog under the
wheels of his talkative locomotive, and stayed its progress, which
luckily gave me an opportunity to take his hat and request him to be
seated.
The door was opened, and who but Sansecrat stood before me.
"Have you heard the news?" was the first interrogatory of my friend
Arcanus, in reply to which Sansecrat said that he knew it all half
an hour previous,--was at the railroad station when the express
arrived, and was the first man to open the Southern papers.
OUR HOME.
It was a truth long before the wise man wrote it, that making haste
to be rich is an evil; and it always will be a truth that the
natural, unforced course of human events is the only sure, the only
rational one.
The desire to be rich, to be pointed out as wealthy, is a very
foolish one, unless it be coupled with a desire to do good. This is
somewhat paradoxical; for the gratification of the last most
certainly repels that of the first, inasmuch as he who distributes
his gains cannot accumulate to any great extent.
In one of the most populous cities of the Union there resided, a few
years since, a person in moderate circumstances, by the name of
Robert Short. Bob, as he Was usually called, was a shoemaker. With a
steady run of custom, together with prudence and economy combined,
he was enabled to support his family in an easy and by no means
unenviable style. He did not covet the favors and caresses of the
world. He looked upon all,--the rich, the poor, the prince, the
beggar,--alike, as his brethren. He believed that all stood upon one
platform, all were bound to the same haven, and that all should be
equally interested in each other's welfare. With this belief, and
with rules of a similar character, guided by which he pursued his
course of life, it was not to be wondered at that he could boast of
many friends, and not strange that many should seek his
acquaintance. There is a desire planted in the hearts of honest men
to associate with those who, ambitious enough to sustain a good
character, are not so puffed up with pride, or so elevated in their
own estimation, as to despise the company of what are termed "the
common people." It was pleasant, of a winter's evening, to enter the
humble domicile of Mr. Short, and while the howling storm raged
fiercely without, and the elements seemed at war, to see the
contentment and peace that prevailed within. Bob, seated at his
bench, might be seen busily employed, and, as the storm increased,
would seem to apply himself more diligently to his task. Six or
perhaps eight of his neighbors might also be seen gathered around,
seated upon that article most convenient,--whether a stool or a pile
of leather, it mattered not,--relating some tale of the Revolution,
or listening to some romantic story from the lips of the respected
Mr. Short. 'T was upon such an evening, and at such a place, that
our story commences. Squire Smith, Ned Green, and a jovial sort of a
fellow by the name of Sandy, were seated around the red-hot
cylinder. Squire Smith was what some would term a "man of
consequence,"-at least, he thought so. Be it known that this squire
was by no means a daily visitor at the work-shop of our hero. He
came in occasionally, and endeavored to impress upon his mind that
which he had settled in his own, namely, that he, Robert Short,
might be a great man.
"I tell you what," said he, with an air of importance, "I tell you
what, it is against all reason, it is contrary to common sense and
everything else, that you remain any longer riveted down to this old
bench. It will be your ruin; 'pend upon it, it will be your ruin."
"How so?" eagerly inquired Mr. Short.
"Is not the present company respectable?" resumed Mr. Short; "and as
for the fashion, I follow my own."
Squire Smith did not reply to this inquiry, but stood shaking his
head, and appeared at a loss for words with which to answer.
Squire Smith had said enough for that night; to have said more would
have injured his plan. Mr. Green and Sandy shook hands with their
friend Robert, and, it being late, they bade him "good-by," and
parted. Our hero was now left alone. Snuffing the candle, that had
well-nigh burnt to the socket, he placed more fuel upon the fire,
and, resting his hands upon his knees and his head upon his hands,
he began to think over the sayings of his friend the squire.
Robert Short saw nothing of the squire for many days after the event
just described transpired. One day, as he began his work, the door
was suddenly thrown open, and the long absent but not forgotten
squire rushed in, shouting "Speculation! speculation!" Mr. Short
threw aside his last, and listened with feelings of astonishment to
the eloquent words that fell from the lips of his unexpected
visitor. "Gull, the broker," continued the squire, "has just offered
me a great bargain. I have come to make a proposition which is, that
you and I accept his offer, and make our fortunes."
"Why," replied Mr. Smith, Esq., "old Varnum Gull has three thousand
acres of good land, upon which are, as he assures me, some beautiful
watering places. It is worth five dollars an acre; he offers it to
me for one, and a grand chance it is; the terms are cash."
"Are you certain as to the quality of the land?" inquired Mr. Short.
"Perfectly certain," was the reply. "I would not advise you wrong
for the world; but I now think it best to form a sort of
co-partnership, and purchase the land. There is no doubt but that we
can dispose of it at a great advantage. Will you not agree to my
proposals, and accept?"
"I will," answered Mr. Short. "But how can I obtain fifteen hundred
dollars? I have but a snug thousand."
Mr. Short, after a moment's delay, arose, and, laying aside his
leather apron, took the squire by the arm, and both sallied forth in
search of the office of Varnum Gull. After wending their way through
short streets and long lanes, narrow avenues and wide alleys, they
came to a small gate, upon which was fastened a small tin sign with
the following inscription: "V. Gull, broker, up the yard, round the
corner, up two pair of stairs." The squire and Mr. Short followed
the directions laid down, and, having gone up the yard and turned
round the corner, they found themselves at the foot of the stairs.
They stood for a moment silent, and were about to ascend, when a
voice from above attracted their attention.
"'Ollo, Squire, 'ere's the box; walk right up 'ere; only look out,
there's an 'ole in the stairs."
Our hero looked above, and perceived a man with green spectacles
drawing his head in.
"We will go up," said the squire, "and look out for the hole; but,
as the stairway is rather dark, we shall not see much; therefore we
shall be obliged to feel our way."
They ascended, and escaped without injury. A little short man met
them at the door, holding in his hand a paper bearing some
resemblance to a map.
"Really, Mr. Smith, I feared you would lose that 'ere bargain I
expatiated on. I 'ave received many good offers, but 'ave reserved
it for you. Your friend, ha?" he continued, at the same time
striking Mr. Short in no gentle manner upon the shoulder.
"Well," replied Mr. Short, improving the time Mr. Gull stopped to
breathe, "well, I had some idea of so doing." "Hidea!" quickly
responded the broker; "why will you 'esitate? read that!" and he
handed a paper to Mr. Short which paper he kept for reference, and
pointed out to him an article which read as follows:
"I understand," said he, "you have a few acres of land you wish to
dispose of."
"And how much do you charge per acre?" inquired the stranger.
"That depends upon the number you wish. Do you wish to purchase
all?"
"If you wish all," continued Mr. Smith, "we will sell for four
dollars an acre. That is dog cheap, and a great sacrifice."
"O, it's moderate, nothing extra," replied Mr. Short; "won't you be
seated?"
"Did I not make a bargain with you about some eastern land, a few
months since?"
"Yes, some person did;" and Mr. Short immediately recognized him as
the purchaser. The new comer then took from his pocket the paper of
agreement, and presented it for the inspection of the two gentlemen.
"Are you not satisfied with your bargain?" inquired Mr. Smith.
"What is the name of the water bought for land?" inquired Squire
Smith.
After some talk, the stranger agreed to call the next day. The next
day came, and with it came the stranger. Mr. Short had tried in vain
to obtain the requisite sum, and was obliged to request him to call
the next day. He came the next day, and the next, and the next, but
received no money; and he was at length obliged to attach the
property of the squire, as also that of Mr. Short. His other
creditors also came in with their bills. All the stock of Mr. Short
was sold at auction, and he was a poor man. He obtained a small
house, that would not compare with the one he had lived in in former
years. He had no money of his own, and was still deeply in debt. He
was obliged to work at such jobs as came along, but at length
obtained steady employment. The squire, who was the prime cause of
all his trouble, sailed for a foreign port, leaving all his bills
unpaid, In a short time Mr. Short obtained a sufficient sum to buy
back his old shop, in which to this day he has steadily worked, with
a vivid remembrance of the consequence of speculation.
RETROSPECTION.
WEEP NOT.
"GOOD-BY, Ray, good-by," said George Greenville; and the stage wound
its way slowly up a steep ascent, and was soon lost to view.
"Well, well, he has gone. Glad of it, heartily glad of it! When will
all these paupers be gone?" said the father of George, as he entered
the richly-furnished parlor, and seated himself beside an open
window.
"Kindness!" interrupted the old man; "say not 't was kindness that
prompted him to do me a favor; rather say 't was his duty,--and of
you should I not expect better things? Did I allow you to visit
Lemont but to become acquainted with such a poverty-stricken,
pauper-bred youth as Ray Bland?"
Saying this, he arose and left the room.
The family and connections of George were rich; those of Ray were
poor. The former lived at ease in the midst of pleasures, and
surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences of life; the latter
encountered the rough waves of adversity, and was obliged to labor
with assiduity, to sustain an equal footing with his neighbors. Thus
were the two friends situated; and old Theodore Greenville scorned
the idea of having his son associate with a pauper, as he termed all
those who were not the possessors of a certain amount of
money,--without which, in his opinion, none were worthy to associate
with the rich.
"Then," continued the first speaker, "I suppose you are not open to
conviction. If I can prove him worthy of your esteem and confidence,
will you believe?"
"Precisely so," was the brief reply; and the conversation ended. The
father left the house for a short walk, as was his custom, whilst
George and Amelia retired to the parlor, and conversed, for a long
time, upon the rash and unjust decision of their parent. The mutual
attachment that existed between George and Ray was not looked upon
with indifference by the sister of the former; and she determined
upon using all the means in her power to bring the latter into the
good will of her father; she resolved, like a noble girl, to cherish
a social and friendly feeling toward the friend of her brother. He
who knows the warmth of a sister's affection can imagine with what
constancy she adhered to this determination. The command of her
father not to associate with the poor only served to strengthen her
resolution, for she knew with what obstacles her brother would have
to contend. She had a kind heart, that would not allow a
fellow-being to want, so long as she had, or could obtain, the means
to relieve him.
"I have no reason to doubt his sincerity," replied George; "but what
led you to ask such a question?"
"I am sure we can," replied Amelia; "yet I had much rather have a
trick played upon us than upon poor Smith. Can you not propose some
way by which we can prevent father from carrying out his
intentions?"
"I will give you the money," replied George, "if you will convey it
to Mr. Smith, so that he will be enabled to pay his rent. Recollect
it must be carried in the night, and this night, as father expects
to commence his operations to-morrow or next day. You know that I
cannot go, as my time will be fully occupied in attending upon some
important business at home." It was not necessary to make this offer
more than once. The heart of Amelia bounded with joy, as she
anticipated being the bearer of the money to Smith; and, shortly
after dark, being provided with it, she proceeded to his house.
It was a dark night. The moon was obscured by thick clouds, and no
twinkling star shone to guide her on her errand of mercy. As she
drew near the lonely dwelling of Paul Smith, she perceived no light.
She feared that he might be absent. Stealthily along she crept, and,
listening at the door, heard the voice of prayer, imploring aid and
support during the trials of life, that relief might soon be sent.
Amelia silently opened the door, and placed the money on a table,
accompanied with a note to Smith, requesting him not to disclose the
manner in which he received it, and, as silently withdrawing, wended
her way home. As she entered the parlor, she found her father and
brother engaged in earnest conversation,--so earnest that she was not
at first noticed.
The landlord took the money, and, looking it over, handed him a
receipt for the same, and returned to the breakfast-table. Nothing
was said about Smith until Mr. Greenville, as he left the room,
remarked "that he did not know but that Smith meant well enough."
Nearly a month had elapsed and nothing had been heard of Ray Bland,
when, on a certain morning, Mr. Greenville came in and handed George
a letter. Upon opening it, George found it to be written by his
friend Ray, informing him of his safe arrival home, thanking him for
the kind attention he received during his visit, and expressing
great pleasure in soon having another opportunity to visit him.
George communicated this intelligence to Amelia, and they determined
upon using their united efforts in endeavoring to bring over the
kind feelings of their father to their young, but poor, friend.
"It's no use for you to talk," said old Mr. Greenville, after a long
conversation with the two; "the die is cast. I have resolved, and
all the arguments you can bring forward will not cause me to break
my resolution."
"Well," remarked George, "perhaps the day will come when you will
deeply regret forming such a resolution. Perhaps the sunshine of
prosperity will not always illumine our path."
"Be that as it may," interrupted Mr. Greenville, "we will not allow
our imagination to wander forth into the mystical regions of the
future, or picture to ourselves scenes of wretchedness, if such
await us. Flatter me not with the good intentions of Ray Bland."
Months passed away, and the children of the proud Mr. Greenville
forbore to mention in the presence of their father aught concerning
their friend Ray Bland, or to excite the anger of the old gentleman
by combating his prejudices against the poor.
Months passed away, and again Ray Bland found himself beneath the
roof of his former friend. He was received by George and Amelia with
the cordiality that had ever marked his intercourse with them; but
the father was, if possible, more morose and sullen than usual.
Ray had several times made the attempt to know the cause of this
coldness, but as often as he alluded to it George would invariably
turn the subject; and he forbore to question further, content with
the happiness which he enjoyed in the society of those he held so
dear.
It was the evening of a fine day in the early spring, that the three
friends sat together. It was the last evening of his visit, and Ray
expected not to return for a long time. Alone in his study, the
father vented his indignation against paupers, which respect for his
daughter's feelings only prevented in the presence of their visitor.
He opened the casement. Clouds were gathering in the sky, and now
and then a faint flash of lightning illumined the increasing
darkness; and the far-off voice of the storm was audible from the
distance, each moment increasing in strength and violence. Soon the
storm was upon them.
The old gentleman retired to his apartment. Each moment the storm
increased in violence, and in vain did he strive to close his eyes
in sleep.
Within all was still and quiet. No word was spoken, for it was a
fearful night, and in fear and dread they suspended their
conversation.
MR. and MRS. STUBBS were seated at the side of a red-hot cylinder
stove. On one side, upon the floor, a small black-and-white dog lay
very composedly baking himself; on the other, an old brown cat was,
in as undisturbed a manner, doing the same. The warmth that existed
between them was proof positive that they had not grown cold towards
each other, though the distance between them might lead one to
suppose they had.
In one corner of the room was the bust of a man, whose only
existence was in the imagination of a miserable ship-carver, who, in
his endeavors to breathe life into his block, came near breathing
life out of himself, by sitting up late at night at his task. In the
other hung a crook-necked squash, festooned with wreaths of
spider-webs. Above the mantel-piece was suspended a painting
representing a feat performed by a certain dog, of destroying one
hundred rats in eight minutes. The frame in which this gem of art
was placed was once gilt, but, at the time to which we refer, was
covered with the dust of ages.
Mr. Stubbs poked the fire. Mrs. Stubbs poked the dog, when suddenly
the door flew open, and their son entered with blackened eyes,
bloody hands; bruised face and dirty clothes, the most
belligerent-looking creature this side of the "Rio Grande."
"My voice a'nt still for war, it's loud for war," he said, as, with
a braggadocia sort of air, he threw his cap at the dog, who clenched
it between his teeth, shook it nearly to tatters, and then passed it
over to the cat.
"O, how can you talk so?" said his wife. "You know it's nat'ral."
"Nat'ral!" shouted the father; "then it's ten times worse-the harder
then to rid him of his quarrelsome habits. But I've an idea," said
he, his face brightening up at the thought, as though he had
clenched and made it fast and sure.
The mother started as by an electric shock. The boy, who had retired
into one corner in a sullen mood, freshened up, and looked at his
father. The ship-carver's fancy sketch brightened up also; but not
of its own free will, for the force with which Mr. Stubbs brought
his hand in contact with the table caused the dirty veil to fall
from the bust-er's face.
"Why, my dear woman, as we can do nothing with him, we'll make him
an editor."
The old lady inquired what that was; and, being informed, expressed
doubts as to his ability.
"What of that?'-let him write with the scissors and paste-pot. Let
him learn; many know q great deal more after having learned."
"But he must have some originality in his paper," said Mrs. Stubbs,
who, it seemed, did not fall in with the general opinion that "any
one can edit a paper."
"Never fear that," said Mr. Stubbs; "he'll conduct anything he takes
hold of, rather than have that conduct him. I'll tell you what, old
woman, Jake shall be an editor, whether he can write a line of
editorial or not. Jake, come here."
Jake, who had nearly forgotten his fight, was elated at the
proposition of his father, and, being asked whether, in his opinion,
he could conduct a paper with ability, originality and success,
replied, in the slang phrase of the day, that he "could n't do
anything else," at the same time clenching his fist, as though to
convince his sire that he could do something else, notwithstanding.
"As I have never asked you any question relative to public affairs,
and as the people of this generation are getting to be wise, I deem
it right that I should ask you a few questions before endeavoring to
obtain a situation. Now, Jake, who is the President of the United
States?"
"That's bright," said Mrs. Stubbs; "he possesses more talent than I
was aware of; he'll make an editor."
The clock struck nine, which was the signal for Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs
to retire, and they did so. No sooner had they left than their
dutiful son mounted the table, and, taking down the fancy bust,
pulled the dog by the tail to awake him, and set him barking at it.
The cat must have her part in the tragedy, so Jake thought; and,
pulling her by the tail, she was soon on the field of action.
Mr. Stubbs was very sorry to disturb them. When he mentioned his
errand, one of the men-a tall fellow, with check shirt and green
apron-said that he had, for a long time, contemplated starting a
paper, but, as he was not capable of editing one, he had not carried
out his intention. The principal reason why he had not published
was, he was poor; business had not prospered in his hands, and an
outlay of two thousand dollars would be needed to commence and
continue the paper.
"Very well," replied Mr. Stubbs, "that is a large sum; but, if there
is no doubt of its being returned, I might think of loaning it to
you, for the sake of getting my talented son into business."
"Not the least doubt, not the least," replied Mr. Pica; and he so
inflamed the imagination of Mr. Stubbs, that, strange as it may seem
to the cautious reader, he wrote a check for the amount, merely
taking the unendorsed note of Mr. Pica as security; then, hastening
home, he told Mrs. Stubbs to brush up the boy, for he was an editor.
Mr. Jake Stubbs had been cutting and pasting all day, when, thinking
it a little too severe to inflict further duty upon the assistant
editor, he took his pen in hand, resolved upon writing a masterly
article as a leader.
A sheet of blank paper had lain on the table before him for nearly
an hour. He would sit and think. Some idea would pop into his head,
then with a dash would the pen go into the ink, but before he could
get his pen out the idea had flown, and the world was the loser.
Then he threw himself back into his chair,--thought, thought,
thought. At length Jake obtained the mastery, as patience and
perseverance always will, and the pen became his willing slave,
though his mind, being the slave-driver, did not hurry it on very
fast. He was able to pen a few words, and wrote "The war with
Mexico-"
Well, he had got so far; that was very original, and if he never
wrote anything else, would stamp him a man of talent. Into the ink,
on the paper, and his pen wrote the little word are. "The war with
Mexico are." Ten minutes more of steady thought, and three more
words brought him to a full stop. "The war with Mexico are a
indisputable fact." That last but one was a long word, and a close
observer could have seen his head expand with the effort.
"Copy, sir, copy!" shouted the printer's boy, as he stood with his
arms daubed with ink, and a straw hat upon his head that had seen
service, and looked old enough to retire and live on a pension.
"Here," said he, "take this to Mr. Pica, and tell him 't is
original, and gives an account of the war with Mexico, with news up
to this date."
The boy took it, trudged up stairs with two lines of MS., and the
editor arose and walked his office, as though his labors were o'er,
and he might rest and see some mighty spirit engrave his name upon
the scroll of fame.
He had crossed the floor half a dozen times, when in came the same
youth, shouting "Copy, sir, copy!"
The boy was small, but spunky. His education had been received at
the corners of the streets. He had never taken lessons of a
professor, but he had practised upon a number of urchins smaller
than himself, and had become a thoroughly proficient and expert
pugilist.
It was not for Bill Bite to be roughly handled by any one, not even
by an editor. So he pushed him from him, and said,
"I want copy; that's a civil question,--I want a civil answer."
Bill's arms were loose, and, nearing the table, he took the inkstand
and dashed the contents into the face of his assailant.
"Copy!" shouted the boy; and such a rumpus was created, that up came
Mr. Pica, saying that the building was so shaken that an article in
type on the subject of "Health and Diet" suddenly transformed itself
into "pi."
The two belligerents were parted; the editor and Master Bill Bite
stood at extremes. At this crisis who should enter but Mr. Stubbs,
senior, who, seeing his son's face blackened with ink, inquired the
cause rather indignantly; at which Mr. Pica, not recognizing in the
indignant inquirer the father of the "talented editor," turned
suddenly about and struck him a blow in the face, that displaced his
spectacles, knocked off his white hat into a pond of ink, and made
the old fellow see stars amid the cobwebs and dust of the ceiling.
The son, seeing himself again at liberty, flew at the boy, and gave
him "copy" of a very impressive kind.
Down from the shelves came dusty papers and empty bottles, whilst up
from the printing-office came the inmates, to learn the cause of
the disturbance.
This affair put a sudden stop to "The Buzz of the Nation." The first
number never made its appearance.
Mr. Pica, having obtained the amount of the check, went into the
country for his health, and has not been heard from since.
Elder Stubbs and Stubbs the younger paid a fine of five dollars
each; and when they reached home and related to Mrs. Stubbs the
facts in the case, she took off her spectacles, and, after a few
moments' sober thought, came to the sage conclusion that her son
Jake was not made for an editor.
MORNING BEAUTY.
BRIDAL SONGS.
TO THE WIFE.
Thus spake a good old Quaker, a native of the city of Penn. Captain
Marlin had been for many days and nights considering whether it were
best to carry a complement of wine for himself and friends, and grog
for his crew. He had that morning met Simon Prim, and asked his
opinion, which he gave as above; yet Captain Marlin seemed
undetermined. He felt it to be an important question, and he desired
to come to a right conclusion.
They had been passing up Broadway; had reached the Trinity, crossing
over towards Wall-street. Simon, with his usual gravity, raised his
hand, and, pointing to the towering steeple of the splendid edifice,
said:
"Then," continued the Quaker, "do not take it to sea with thee; for
thou or thy men mayest be called to a spot as high as yonder
pinnacle, when thee little thinkest of it."
The two walked down Wall-street without a word from either, till,
reaching a shipping-office, Captain Marlin remarked that he had
business within. The Quaker very politely bowed, and bade him take
heed to good counsel, and good-day.
"Did you know," said he, as his captain entered, "that Parvalance &
Co. have lost their ship, 'The Dey of Algiers,' and none were saved
but the cabin-boy, and he half dead when found?"
"On a voyage from Canton, With a rich cargo of silks, satins, teas,
&c. The boy says that the men had drank rather too much, and were
stupidly drunk,--but fudge! Captain Marlin, you know enough to know
that no man would drink too much at sea. He would be sure to keep at
a good distance from a state of intoxication, being aware that much
was intrusted to his care which he could not well manage whilst in
such a state."
CHAPTER II.
"Verily, neighbor; thou didst move me; but I was thinking so deeply
of Captain Marlin and his success, that no wonder thy light touch
should do so."
"His ship, the Tangus, has just left, bound on a long voyage, and
with a quantity of deadly poison on board, with which to refresh the
crew. I tell thee, neighbor, I have fears for the result. The jug
may possibly stand still when on land, but when it's afloat it's
rather unsteady."
"But not in these days of light and knowledge, friend. There have
been enough sad examples to warn men not to trifle on such subjects.
Twenty years ago I drank. We had our whiskey at our funerals and our
weddings. I have seen chief mourners staggering over the grave, and
the bridegroom half drunk at the altar; but times are changed now,
and thank God for the good that has been effected by this
reformation!"
The wife of Captain Marlin had that day called upon Mrs. Jones, and,
although her husband had scarcely got out of sight, looked with
pleasure to the day of his return, and already anticipated the
joyous occasion. There is as much pleasure in anticipation as in
realization, it is often said, and there is much truth in the
saying. We enjoy the thought of the near approach of some wished for
day, but when it arrives we seem to have enjoyed it all before it
came.
Mrs. Jones was far from thinking it wrong in Captain Marlin that he
carried liquor with him on his voyage, and gave it as her opinion
that the vessel was as safe as it could possibly be without it.
"Remember what I say, that is a doomed ship," said Mr. Jones, after
some conversation on the subject.
"You are no prophet, my dear," said his wife, "neither am I a
prophetess; but I will predict a pleasant voyage and safe return to
the Tangus." With such opposite sentiments expressed, they retired.
CHAPTER III.
'T was so when the crew of the "Tangus" were assembled upon the deck
of that noble ship. The day previous had been one of hard labor; the
vessel had bravely withstood the storm, and seemed now to be resting
after the contest. Not a ripple was to be seen. Far as the eye could
reach, was seen the same beautiful stillness. So with the crew; they
were resting, though not in drowsy slumberings.
"I say what, Bill," remarked one, "'An honest man's the noblest work
of God,' somebody says, and that's our captain, every inch, from
stem to stern, as honest as Quaker Prim, of Gotham."
"Ay, ay, Jack," said another; "and did you hear how that same Prim
tried to induce Captain Marlin to deprive us of our right?"
"Ay, ay."
"Will Mr. McFusee wait? By the way, Jack, he, Prim, got him by the
button, and began to pour into his ears a long tirade against a
man's enjoying himself, and, by the aid of thee, thy, and thou, half
convinced the old fellow that he must give up all, and live on
ice-water and ship-bread."
"Did?"
"Ay, ay, you know Captain Marlin. He always looks at both sides,
then balances both, as it were, on the point of a needle, and
decides, as Squire Saltfish used to say, 'cording to law and
evidence."
"By the powers, he's a man, ivery inch, from the crown of his hat to
the soles of his shoes, he is."
"Mr. McFusee, will you keep still?" said Mr. Boyden, the narrator.
Mr. McFusee signified that he would.
As we before said, their labors the day previous were great, and, as
a dead calm had set in, and the vessel did not even float lazily
along, but remained almost motionless,--not like a thing of life, but
like a thing lifeless,--the captain ordered the crew each a can of
liquor, and now they sat, each with his measure of grog, relating
stories of the past, and surmises of the future.
"I tell you what," said Jack Paragon, "these temperance folks are
the most foolish set of reformers myself in particular, and the
United States, Texas, and the Gulf of Mexico, in general, ever saw."
"Even so," remarked Mr. Boyden, "but they do some good. 'Give the
devil his due,' is an old saw, but none the less true for that.
There's Peter Porper, once a regular soaker, always said his
'plaints were roomatic,--rum-attic, I reckon, however, for he used to
live up twelve pairs of stairs,--he and the man in the moon were
next-door neighbors; they used to smoke together, and the jolly
times they passed were never recorded, for there were no newspapers
in those dark ages, and the people were as ignorant as crows. Well,
one of these temperance folks got hold of him, and the next I saw of
him he was the pet of the nation; loved by the men, caressed by the
women-silver pitchers given him by the former, and broadcloth cloaks
by the latter."
"Can't say; but liquor never did me harm. When I find it does, I
will leave off."
The sun had set in clouds. The heavens were hung in darkness. Ever
and anon a peal of thunder echoed above, a flash of vivid lightning
illumed the waters, and far as eye could see the waters tossed high
their whitened crests. The winds blew stormy, and now heavy drops of
rain fell upon the deck of the "Tangus." "Every man to his duty!"
shouted the captain; but the captain's voice was not obeyed.
Objects at two feet distance could not be seen. Louder that voice
was heard. "Every man to his duty,--save the ship!"
"I appoint you under officer. Search for the men, and, if they are
not all washed over, tell them I order them to work. If they do not
know it, tell them the ship's in danger, and they must work."
By the time the storm commenced, the liquor they had drank began to
have its effect. Four of the crew, who were usually wide awake-that
is, uncommonly lively-when intoxicated, had unfortunately fell
overboard, and were lost.
The captain had now food for reflection, but the time and place were
not for such musings.
He endeavored to arouse them, but in vain; so, with the aid of the
only sober man aboard besides himself, he conveyed them to a place
of safety. In the mean time the ship strained in every joint, and he
momentarily expected to find himself standing on its wreck.
The waves washed the deck, and everything movable, cook-house and
all, went by the board. The only hope of safety was in cutting away
the masts, and to this task they diligently applied themselves. All
night the captain and cook worked hard, and when morning came they
found the storm abating. Soon the sun shone in its brightness; but
what a scene did its light reveal! The once stately ship dismasted;
four men, including the mate of the vessel, lost, and two lying
insensible in the cabin.
It was not strange that the question came home to the mind of
Captain Marlin, with force, "Is it right to carry liquor for a
ship's crew?" He need ask the opinion of no one; he could find an
answer in the scene around him.
CHAPTER V.
"Then thy ship has put in for repairs?" said Simon Prim, as he
entered Granton & Co.'s office, on Wall-street.
"What?" exclaimed Mr. Granton, who had heard nothing of the matter.
Simon, pulling a paper from his pocket, read:
"The 'Tangus' had been three weeks out, when, in a gale, four men
were washed overboard. The remainder of her crew being insensible,
and the whole duty falling upon the captain and cook, they with
great difficulty managed the ship. It is rumored that all were
intoxicated. This is the seventh case of loss at sea, caused by
intemperance, within four months. When will men become wise, and
awake to their own interests on this topic?"
These few words somewhat quieted him, yet not wholly, At this moment
the wife of Captain Marlin entered. Having heard of the news, she
came to learn all that was known respecting it.
"Madam," said he, after relating all he knew, "my mind is changed on
the question we some time since discussed. Yes, madam, my mind is
changed, and from this hour I will do all I can to exterminate the
practice of carrying grog to sea for the crew. And I tell thee
what," he continued, turning to friend Prim, who stood near by, "I
tell thee what, thee was right in thy predictions; and, though it
has been a dear lesson to me, I have learned from it that it is poor
policy that puts a jug afloat."
"Little Nelly." I remember how she looked when at twilight she sat
down on a curb-stone to count the money. She looked sorrowful. She
was, indeed, worthy of pity; but little she got. The crowd went
hurrying, hustling on: few thoughts came down to little Nelly, on
the curb-stone. It had been a gala day. Red flags had flaunted on
high poles, and there had been a great noise of drums and fifes, and
everybody had seemed happy. Why, then, should sorrow come, with its
dark lantern, and look in the face of this little girl?
There was a poor woman whose husband had been killed in Mexico. She
lived in one small room in a secluded part of the city, and by means
of her needle, and such assistance as was given to her daughter, who
diligently walked the streets, selling apples, she managed to live
in a style which she denominated "comfortable." Thus, for upwards of
one year, she toiled and lived, and was thankful for all her many
blessings.
But sickness came; not severe, but of that kind that bears its
victim along slowly to rest. She was unable to do much. She did not
wish to do much; but she sat day by day, yea, night by night often,
and diligently pursued the avocation that brought her daily bread.
Weeks passed, and yet she was ill. One morning, she called her
daughter to her side, and, taking her hand in her own, said:
"Little Nelly, 't is Independence day, to-day. You heard the guns
fire, and the bells ring, and the shouts of the happy children, this
morning, before you arose. I watched you as you lay listening to all
these, and I asked myself, Will my little Nelly be happy? and I
thought I heard my mother's voice;--she died long, long ago, but I
thought I heard her voice right at my side, saying, 'We shall all be
happy soon;' and I wept, for I could not help it.
"But I've called you now, Nelly, to tell you that I'm much better
this morning, and that, if you can get twenty-five cents to-day, we
will have a happy time to-night."
Little Nelly looked happy for a moment, but soon a shadow came over
her face; for she could not comprehend the meaning of her mother
when she said she was "better," for she looked more feeble than she
had ever seen her since the news of how her father was shot in the
face at Monterey was told her.
It was, indeed, a happy day without. There was joy depicted on every
countenance, and the general happiness infused some of its spirit
into the heart of our little trader. She seemed almost lost in the
great crowd; and there were so many dealers about, and so many that
presented greater attractions in the display of their stock, that
few bought of little Nelly.
It was late in the afternoon, and she had sold but a little, when
she encountered a young lady gayly dressed, in whose hand was
prominently displayed a bead purse, through the interstices of which
the gold and silver glistened.
Nelly held out her humble purse, in which no beads were wrought,
through which no coin glistened,--she held it up, and ventured to
ask, in pleasant tones, a few pennies of the lady. But not a penny
for little Nelly. Not even a look recognized her appeal, but costly,
flowing robes rushed by, and nearly prostrated her; they did force
her from the sidewalk into the gutter.
Go on, ye proud and selfish one! Go, bend the knee to Fashion's
altar, and ask a blessing of its presiding spirit! Bestow no pitying
glance on honest poverty; no helping hand to the weak and falling!
There is a law which God hath written on all his works, proclaiming
justice, and giving unto all as they shall ask of him. Pass on, and
heed not that little praying hand; but remember you cannot do so
without asking of that law its just requital.
Nelly walked on. She mingled again with the great mass, and twilight
came. It was then that she sat down, as I have before stated, to
count her money. She had but thirteen cents. All day she had sought
to dispose of her stock, that she might carry to her mother the sum
named, with which to have a happy time at home. And now the day had
gone; the night was drawing its great shadowy cloak about the earth,
and Nelly had but about one half of the required sum. What should
she do?
It was at this moment I met her. I stooped down, and she told me all
her story;--told me all her sorrow,--a great sorrow for a little
breast like hers. I made up the trifling amount, and, taking her by
the hand, we went together towards her home.
Reaching the house, we entered, and were met on the stairs by an old
lady, who whispered in my ear, "Walk softly." I suspected in a
moment the reason why she asked me thus to walk. She then led the
way. She tried to keep back the little girl, but she could not. She
hurried up the stairs, and through a long, dark entry, to a door,
which she quickly opened.
Nelly sprang to the bed on which lay her mother. I heard a sigh-a
sob. It was from the child. The mother spoke in a tone so joyous
that I was at first surprised to hear it from one who, it was
supposed, was near her end. But I soon found it was no matter of
surprise.
How clear and fair was that face! How pleading and eloquent those
eyes, as they turned, in all their full-orbed brightness, upon me,
as I approached the bedside of the mother of Nelly! There were
needed no words to convey to my mind the thoughts that dwelt within
that soul, whose strength seemed to increase as that of the body
diminished.
With one of her pale hands she took mine; with the other, that of
her daughter.
She sprang forward, and, with her hands yet clasping Nelly's and my
own, she stretched her arms upward. There was a bright glow of
indescribable joy upon her features. She spoke calmly, sweetly
spoke. "We shall all be happy soon-happy soon-happy-" then fell back
on the pillow, and moved no more-spoke not again.
She was indeed happy. But, Nelly-she was sad. For a long time she
kept her hand in that of her mother. She at length removed it, and
fell upon the floor, beneath the weight of her new sorrow. Yet it
was but for a moment. Suddenly she sprang up, as if imbued with
angelic hope and peace. We were surprised to see the change, and to
behold her face beam with so much joy, and hear her voice lose its
sadness. We looked forth with that inner sight which, on such
occasions, seems quickened to our sense, and could see that mother,
and that mother's mother, bending over that child, and raising her
up to strength and hope, and a living peace and joy.
Nelly's little purse lay on the floor, where she had dropped it when
she came in. The old nurse picked it up, and laid it on a stand
beside the bed. A tear stole out from beneath the eyelids of the
child as she beheld it, and thought how all day she had worked and
walked to get the little sum with which her mother and she were to
be made happy on that Independence night. I called her to me. We sat
down and talked over the past, the present and the future, and I was
astonished to hear the language which her pure and gentle, patient
soul poured forth.
"Well, sir," she said, "we are happy to-night, though you think,
perhaps, there is greater cause for sorrow. But mother has gone from
all these toiling scenes. She will work no more all the long day,
and the night, to earn a shilling, with which to buy our daily
bread. She has gone where they have food that we know not of; and
she's happy to-night, and, sir, we shall all be happy soon. We shall
all go up there to live amid realities. These are but shadows here
of those great, real things that exist there; and I sometimes think,
when sitting amid these shadows, that it will be a happy time when
we leave them, and walk amid more substantial things."
When the last line of each verse was sung, it was no fancy thought
in us, in Nelly more than all others, that suggested the union of
other voices with our own; neither was it an illusion that pictured
a great thing with harps, repeating the words, "We shall all be
happy soon."
The sexton even, he who was so used to grave-yard scenes, was doubly
interested; and, when the last look was taken, and Nelly seemed to
look less in the dark grave and more up to the bright sky above her
than those in her situation usually do, I saw him watch her, and a
tear trickled down his wrinkled face.
Perhaps they were. And why say "perhaps"? Do we not know they are
ever round us, and very near to such a one as Nelly, at such a time?
REUNION.
ABOUT fifty miles from a southern city, about five years ago, a most
mysterious personage seemed to fall from the clouds into the midst
of a circle of young ladies, whose hours and days were thenceforth
busily employed in quizzing, guessing, pondering and wondering.
Abby and Nelly, the belles of the place, had each had an eye upon
the new comer, since he passed by the splendid mansion of their
abode, casting a sly glance up to the open window at which they
stood.
In a week, our foreign friend had made the circuit of all the
fashionable society of Greendale. He had drank tea with the
"Commissioners," and walked out with their amiable daughters. He had
visited the pastor, and had evinced great interest in the prosperity
of the church. He had even exhorted in the conference-meeting, and
had become so popular that some few, taking it for granted that so
devout a man must be a clergyman, had serious thoughts of asking the
old parson to leave, and the stranger to accept the pulpit,--four
hundred and eighty-two dollars a year, and a donation-party's
offerings. He had attended the sewing-circle, and made himself
perfectly at home with everybody and everything. The young men's
society for ameliorating the condition of the Esquimauxs and
Hottentots had been favored with his presence; and, likewise, with a
speech of five minutes long, which speech had, in an astonishingly
short time, been printed on pink satin and handsomely framed.
The lower class of people, for whom the stranger talked so much, and
shed so many tears, and gave vent to so many pitiful exclamations,
but with whom, however, he did not deign to associate, were filled
with a prodigious amount of wonder at the lion and his adventures.
They gathered at Squire Brim's tavern, and at the store on the
corner, and wondered and talked over the matter. The questions with
them were, Who is he?-where did he come, and where is he going to?
They would not believe all they had heard conjectured about him, and
some few were so far independent as to hint of the possibility of
imposition.
There were two who determined to find out, at all hazards, the name,
history, come from and go to, of the mysterious guest; and, to
accomplish their purpose, they found it necessary for them to go to
Baltimore early the subsequent morning.
"Abby and Nelly are waiting for you; they're expecting you," says
one of the ladies, as she breathes a blessing and bids him good-by,
with a hope that he will have a pleasant time at the deacon's.
Let us now take a few steps in advance, and enter the hospitable
mansion to which our mysterious personage, who has given his name as
Sir Charles Nepod, is passing.
"An' sirs,--sirs, dus yers know what the young Misthresses is afther?
Well, sirs, they's going' fur to hev' a greath dinner with the
furriner. Yes, sirs, with the furriner as come frum a furrin land,
and was n't born in this at all a' tall."
"Mother and aunty have just gone out," says Nelly;--"they thought we
young folks would enjoy our dinner much better by ourselves alone."
"How considerate!" replies the guest. "I met the good old ladies on
the street. How kind in them to be so thoughtful! How pleasantly
will pass the hours of to-day! This day will be the happiest of my
life."
Down town all was excitement, and a great crowd was gathered at the
tavern. The investigating committee had returned from the city, and
with the committee three men of mysterious look. To the uninitiated
the mystery that had puzzled them for so long a time grew yet more
mysterious. Nothing could be learned from the two who had returned,
respecting Sir Charles, or the additional strangers. Only dark and
mysterious hints were thrown out, rendering the whole affair more
completely befogged than before.
Mr. Brim, the keeper of the tavern, silently conducted the new
comers out by a back passage, and soon they were seen in the same
path which Sir Charles had followed.
One of the men quietly opened the front door of the deacon's home,
and, entering, knocked upon the door of the dining-room. A voice
said, "Come in;" and he proceeded to do so.
There was great ado in Greendale that afternoon and evening. Those
who had been unable to gain his attention said they knew all the
time he was a rogue. The young men's society voted to sell the frame
and destroy the printed speech; and the next Sabbath the good pastor
preached about a roaring lion that went about seeking whom he might
devour.
Not many years since, an old man, who had for a longtime sat by the
wayside depending upon the charity of those who passed by for his
daily bread, died a few moments after receiving an ill-mannered
reply to his request for alms. Subsequent inquiries proved that he
had been a soldier in the American Revolution.
NIGHT.
MY next door neighbor's name was Jotham Jenks. This was all I knew
about him, until the circumstance I am about to tell you occurred.
Why did n't he ring?-there was a bell. It must have been a stranger,
else he would have used it.
"Where?"
The whip snapped, the wheels whirled round, and we passed through
the lighted streets with almost incredible speed. I ventured to make
an inquiry, and the reply was,
Thus was a veto put upon the movements of my tongue for the time
being. I, however, recognized the voice of Mr. Jenks; and though I
knew but little respecting him, I judged from his appearance that he
was a quiet, unoffending man; and such I afterwards found him.
For thirty minutes the horses raced along, causing the water, ice
and snow, to take to themselves wings and fly upon pedestrians,
windows, and sundry other animate and inanimate objects of creation.
For myself, I began to experience some misgiving, for thus exposing
myself to what, I did not know.
Matters had reached a crisis. Was I to be thrown into the water? The
assurance of my companion that I was doing a good deed seemed to
disfavor this supposition, as what possible good could that do
myself or any one else? Yet, for what was I taken from a warm room,
on such a cold, dismal, dark night, and hurried to the wharf?
"Now," said I to the stranger, "I must know the meaning of all
this,--the why and the wherefore."
He took my hand in his. It was quite dark. I could not see, yet I
could tell by his voice that he wept, as he said,
"In a berth in the cabin of that vessel lies a young man, far from
his home, among strangers,--sick, perhaps dying. No relative, other
than those of the great brotherhood of. mankind, is near to minister
to his wants, or to speak comfort to his troubled heart. He had been
here about two days, when I was informed of his situation by a
friend who came in the same vessel. I have brought you here that you
might listen to his statements, and assist me in assisting him.
There is much of romance in his narrative, and, as you are preparing
a volume of life-sketches, as found in town and country, I have
thought that what falls from his lips might fill a few pages with
interest and profit to your readers."
A small lamp hung from the ceiling, and shed a sort of gloomy light
around. I had been in chambers of sickness, but never in a room
where more neatness was discernible, or more sufficiency for its
tenant, than in the cabin in which I then was. A sailor boy seated
by a berth indicated to me the spot where the sick man lay. We were
informed that he had just fallen into a sleep, and we were careful
not to awake him.
But, notwithstanding all our care, our movements awoke him. He gazed
around as one often does after a deep sleep; but a consciousness of
his situation, and a recognition of my companion, soon dispelled his
vacant looks, and his features were illumed with as expressive a
smile as it has ever been my fortune to behold.
"It is possible that my dear, good friend, Mr. Jenks, has given you
some account of my circumstances," he remarked, addressing me.
I replied that he had not, any further than to state that he was
friendless. He started, as I said this, and exclaimed,
"Friendless! His own modesty, that sure mark of true merit, induced
him to say that; but, dear sir, I have a friend in him, greater than
in any other on earth now. I had a friend, but, alas! she's gone."
"I was born in the west of England," he began, "and can well
remember what a charming little village it was in which I passed my
earliest days. My mother was a woman of the finest
sensibilities,--too fine, in fact, for the rough winds of this world.
Her heart beat too strongly in sympathy with the poor and oppressed,
the weary-footed and troubled ones, to live among and not have the
weight of their sorrows and cares bear also upon her, and gradually
wear out the earth tenement of her spirit.
"As far as a fine, sensitive feeling was hers, so far it was mine. I
inherited it. But I would not flatter myself so much as to say that
I, in like manner, partook of her heavenly, loving nature, or that I
in any of her noble traits was worthy of being her son.
"Many times have I been the bearer of her secret charities. Many
times have I heard the poor bless the unknown hand that placed
bounties at their door. Many times have I seen my mother weep while
I told her of what I heard the recipients of her benevolence tell
their neighbors, and the many conjectures in their minds as to who
the donor could be. And, O, there was joy sparkling in her eyes when
I told her of what I had seen and heard! The grateful poor,
concluding, after all their surmising, that, as they could not tell
for a certainty who it was who gave them food and clothing, they
would kneel down and thank God; for, said they, in their honest,
simple manner, He knows. The benevolent hand cannot hide itself from
his presence, or escape his reward.
"My father was quite a different person. How it was they met and
loved, I could not for a long time determine. But one evening my
mother told me all about it, and said he was not the man of her
choice, but of her parents' choice; and that she had never loved him
with that deep and earnest love that alone can bind two hearts in
one embrace. But she said she had endeavored to do her duty towards
him. Good woman! I knew that. 'T was her very nature to do that. 'T
was a law of her being, and she could not evade it.
"Few persons seemed to love him; those who did, did so with an eye
to business. It was policy in them to flatter the man who could
favor them pecuniarily, and they hesitated not to do so. One time,
when my father's vote and influence were worth five thousand pounds
to his party, and he exhibited symptoms of withholding them, he had
rich presents sent him, and every night some half a dozen or more
would call in and sit and talk with him, and tell him how admirably
all the schemes he had started for the good of the town had
succeeded, and in all manner of ways would flatter the old
gentleman, so that he would be quite pleasant all the next day. At
this time handsome carriages came to take him to ride, and gentlemen
proposed an afternoon's shooting or fishing, or sport of some kind,
and my father always accepted and was always delighted. The simple
man, he couldn't see through the gauze bags they were drawing over
his head! lie did not notice the nets With which they were
entangling his feet. When election came, he gave his vote, and did
not keep back his influence.
"I had one brother, but his mind was nothing like mine. He partook
of my father's nature. We seldom agreed upon any matter, and I
always chose to be alone rather than with him. I do not think I was
wrong in this, for our minds were of different casts. Neither of us
made our minds or our dispositions. There was, therefore, no blame
upon any one, if, on account of the difference in our mental
organizations, our affinities led us apart. It was a perfectly
natural result of a natural cause.
"I will not weary you with more detail of my life to-night; but
to-morrow, if you have any interest in what I have begun to tell
you, I will tell you more."
I had noticed that he began to be exhausted with his effort, and was
about to propose that a future time be allotted to what more he
chose to relate.
CHAPTER II.
The next morning the weather was clear and the air invigorating, as
is often the case after a severe storm. With my neighbor Jenks I
procured a good home for the wanderer, and in a short time he was
located in it.
"I have not told you she died. She did not die. There is no such
word as death in my vocabulary. She did not sleep even. She passed
from a crumbling, falling building into an enduring and beautiful
temple, not made with hands. But to me, then, as I have told you, it
was all dark; and it was not a wonder that I was sad, and that it
was indeed a heavy sorrow that rested on my spirit. Even with the
faith that she had, the thought of being left with a man such as my
father was would have made me sad. You will wonder, perhaps, that I
had not learned from such a mother as mine a clearer faith than that
which possessed my mind at the time of her departure; but I had not.
It was impossible for me to accept a truth with that amount of
evidence which satisfied her mind, and I doubted, at times, a future
existence. But I do not doubt it now. I have had proof,--abundant
proof; and, O, the joy that fills my soul is unfathomable.
"My father now became more tyrannical than ever, and everything
tended to destroy whatever there was of my mother's disposition in
my character. But nothing could force it from me. I was sensitive as
ever to the remarks and the looks of all with whom I came in
contact, and the severe and unmerited reprimands of my father almost
crushed me.
"This fired my brain; but I was timid and dare not speak my thoughts
in his presence. I listened. He showered upon me all the evil
epithets his tongue could dispense, and, raving like a madman, he
pushed me to the door, and told me to cease my visits upon Evelina
or leave his house forever and change my name, for he would not
shelter me, or own any relationship to me.
"Poor girl! She little thought how much I that night endured for
her, or how much I was willing to bear. She was a beautiful
being,--so much like my mother, so gentle, and loving, and
benevolent! We were one. True, no earthly law recognized us as such;
but God's law did,--a law written with his hand on our beating
hearts. We had been joined far, far back, ages gone by, when our
souls first had their birth,--long ere they became enshrined in earth
forms. The church might have passed its ceremonial bond about us,
but that would have been mere form--that would have been a union
which man might have put asunder, and often does. But of a true
union of souls it is useless to say 'what God has joined let no man
put asunder;' for he cannot any more than he can annul any other of
his great laws.
"We parted at a late hour. I went with her to the door of the little
cottage in which she dwelt with her father. Her mother had died, as
they call it, long years before; and, as I kissed her, and pressed
her hand and bade her good-by, I felt more strongly than ever a
determination to bear any privation, endure any suffering, for her
sake.
"I reached my home. I found the doors fastened and all quiet. The
moon shone very clear, and it was nearly as light as at noon-day. I
tried the windows, and fortunately found one of them unfastened. I
raised it very carefully, and crept in, and up to my room. The next
morning at breakfast my father spoke not a word, but I knew by his
manner that he was aware of my disregard of his command, and I
thought that all that prevented him from talking to me was a want of
language strong enough to express the passionate feelings that ran
riot in his soul.
"I judged rightly. For at night his passion found vent in words, and
such a copious torrent of abuse that I shuddered. Nevertheless, I
yielded not one position of my heart, and was conscious that I had a
strength of purpose that would ever defend the right, and could not
be swayed by mere words.
"'Then leave my house at once!' said my father. 'I throw you from me
as I would a reptile from my clothes; and go, go with my curse upon
you! Take your penniless girl, and build yourself a name if you can;
for you have lost the one you might have held with honor to yourself
and to me. I had chosen for you a wife, a rich and fashionable lady,
the daughter of a nobleman, and one of whom to be proud; but you
have thought best to be your own judge in such matters, and you made
a fool of yourself. But you shall not stamp my family with such
folly, or wed its name to dishonor.'
"He was determined to carry out his threat. That night he locked me
out of the house, and took special pains to make the windows fast.
In the papers of the next day he advertised me as disinherited and
cast off, and warned the world against me. He also circulated false
reports respecting me, and spared neither money nor effort to injure
me. He prejudiced my employers, so that they at once discharged me,
without a moment's warning. And all this from a father! How often I
thought of that loving, sympathizing mother! How often I recognized
her presence in my silent hours of thought! Dear, sainted friend!
she was with me often, unseen but not unfelt.
"Evelina faltered not. She bore all the opprobrium of false friends
with a brave heart, and rested on my promises as the dove rests its
weary head beneath its downy wing. Her father had confidence in me.
"It was astonishing how changed all things were. The day previous, I
was the son of a wealthy and influential man. I was respected,
apparently, by all. Very many professed a friendship for me, and
told me how much they valued my company. Young ladies politely
recognized me as I passed through the streets; and old ladies
singled me out as an example for their sons to follow. But on that
day no one knew me. Not one of those who had professed such
friendship for me came and took me by the hand when I needed their
friendly grasp the most! Young ladies, when we met, cast their
glances on the earth, on the sky, anywhere but on me. Old ladies
scandalized me, and warned the objects of their paternal
consideration against a course like mine.
"And why all this? It was because I loved Evelina,--a poor man's only
child!"
CHAPTER III.
"It was soon noised abroad that I had endeavored to get married and
had failed. There was great rejoicing, and one old lady took the
trouble to send her man-servant to me with the message that she was
glad to know that her good pastor had indignantly refused to place
his seal on my bond of iniquity.
"The dark cloud that all this time overshadowed my path rested also
on the path of Evelina's father. This was all that troubled me. He,
good man, had more true religion in his soul than the pastor and all
the people in theirs; yet he was scorned and ill-treated. All this
was not new to him. He had lived in that town four-and-forty years,
and had always been frowned upon by the boasting descendants of
proud families, and had received but little good from their hands.
The church looked upon him as a poor, incorrigible sinner. No one
spoke to him, unless it was to ask him to perform some hard job. It
was not strange that, judging from the works of the people who
called themselves Christians, he had a dislike to their forms. He
chose a living Christianity; and theirs, with all its rites, with
all its pretensions, with all its heralded faith, was but a mockery
to him. It was but a shadow of a substantial reality. He chose the
substance; he rejected the shadow, and men called him 'infidel' who
had not a tithe of vital religion in their own souls, while his was
filled to repletion with that heavenly boon. For a time the war of
persecution raged without, and slander and base innuendoes the
weapons were employed against us. But within all was peace and
quiet, and our home was indeed a heaven,--for we judged that heaven
is no locality, no ideal country staked off so many leagues this
way, and so many that; but that it is in our own souls, and we could
have our heaven here as well as beyond the grave. We thought Christ
meant so when he said 'the kingdom of heaven is within you'! We
pitied those who were always saying that when they reached heaven
there would be an end of all sorrow, and wished they could see as we
did that heaven was to reach them, not they to reach it. We feared
that the saying of Pope, 'Man never is, but always to be, blest,'
might prove true of them, and that even when they had passed the
boundary which they fancied divided them from heaven, they would yet
be looking on to so the future state for the anticipated bliss.
"What cared we, in our home, for the jibes and sneers and falsehoods
without? Those who are conscious of being in the right have no fear
of the goal to which their feet are tending. I heard from my father
often, but never met him. By some means he always evaded me. That
which troubled him most was the calmness with which I received the
results of his course towards me. He knew that I was happy and
contented. This was what troubled him. Had I manifested a great
sorrow and writhing beneath what he deemed troubles, he would have
greatly rejoiced, and so would all his friends. I had accumulated a
small property, and was prospering, notwithstanding the efforts of
many to embarrass me. A few began to see that I was not so bad as I
had been represented to be, and they began to sympathize with me.
This aroused my father's anger afresh. We had been married by a
magistrate of another town, and the clouds above our outside or
temporary affairs seemed breaking away, when an event occurred that
frustrated all our plans.
"It was reported that I had fired the cottage. I well knew with whom
this charge originated, and I had good reasons for believing that
the match that fired our house came from the same source.
"Our condition was such that we concluded to leave the place where
so much had been endured, and those who had strewn our path with
what they intended for thorns and brambles.
"I cared not for myself. My chief concern was for my dear wife and
her father. We kept our state-room for a long time, but at length
deemed it prudent to leave it. As we did so, we heard an awful
crash, and many a shriek and hurried prayer. I myself began to fear,
as the mast and flying rigging went by us; but Evelina, even in such
an hour, had words to cheer us all. She seemed, indeed, more of
heaven than earth; and I cared not for my fate, provided we both met
the same.
"I clasped my wife in my arms, and, amid the wreck and frantic crowd
of passengers, sprang to a boat. I placed Evelina in it, and was
just about to assist her father to the same boat, when a large wave
dashed over the ship and bore me alone over the wide waters. I
remembered no more until I opened my eyes, and the sun was shining
brightly all around me, and a young man was bathing my head, and
brushing back my wet hair, while some were standing by expressing
great joy.
"I gave all the information I could respecting the fate of the
vessel, but thoughts of my wife, and surmisings as to her fate and
that of her father, often choked my utterance, and my words gave way
for my tears.
CHAPTER IV.
Egbert had regained his strength to a great degree, and gave me the
close of his narrative while we were having a pleasant drive through
the country. A month had passed since we first met, and though many
of the passengers had been heard from, the names of Evelina and her
father had not been reported.
"MORE FROM THE WHITE WING.-The Orion, which arrived at this port
this morning, brought fifteen passengers, rescued from the boats of
the 'White Wing.' Among the names mentioned in the above notice were
these: "Mrs. Evelina Lawrence and her father, of England;" and, at
the conclusion, was the following item:
"The case of Mrs. Lawrence and her father is one of those that
loudly call for a bestowal of public sympathy and aid in her behalf.
She has lost a beloved husband,--one who, judging from the heavy
sorrow that oppresses her, and the sighs and tears that break her
recital of the events of their last hours together, was bound with
the closest bonds of soul affinity to her own spirit. They must have
been one, and are, indeed, one now, though to mortal eyes separated.
We commend her to the kind charities of those who would follow the
golden rule of doing unto others as they, in like circumstances,
would have others do unto them."
"My God! my wife!" he exclaimed, and he actually danced with joy and
thankfulness. He would have rushed into the street, and by sudden
exposure have caused a relapse of disease, had not I taken him by
the hand, and forcibly, for a few moments, restrained him. So
excessive was his happiness that, for a short time, he was delirious
with joy. He laughed and wept by turns: at one moment extending
his arms, and folding them as if clasping a beloved form; the next,
trembling as if in some fearful danger. But this did not long
continue. He soon became calm and rational, and we called a carriage
for the purpose of going to the vessel on board of which he expected
to greet his wife and her father.
Egbert leaped from the carriage, and at one bound was on the
vessel's deck. He flew to the cabin, and in a moment I heard the
loud exclamations on either side, "My Evelina!" "My Egbert!" Mr.
Jenks and myself followed below. An old gentleman met us, and,
though a stranger, he grasped a hand of ours in each of his, and
wept with joy as he bade us welcome. The cabin was witness of a
scene which a painter well might covet for a study. In close embrace
Egbert and Evelina mingled joys that seldom are known on earth. The
old man held our hands, his face raised, eyes turned upward, while
tears of happiness, such as he had never before known, coursed down
his features. The officers of the ship came hurrying in, and the
crew darkened the gangway with their presence. What a joyous time
was that! The evening was passed in recounting the adventures of
each; and even I had something to add to the general recital. It
appeared that the boat in which Egbert had placed his charge was
safely cleared of the wreck; and, after being floated about two
days, was met by an English ship bound to London. They, together
with about twenty others who were in the boat, were soon comfortably
cared for. At the expiration of a few weeks, they reached London,
and were there placed on board a vessel bound to Boston, at which
place they in due season arrived. The grief of Mrs. L. during all
this time I will not attempt to describe. The mind of my reader can
better depict it than I can with pen. Hope buoyed her up. And,
though she had seen him swept from her side into the waters where
waves towered up to the skies and sank again many fathoms below, yet
she did hope she might see him again on earth.
In the silent hour of night, as she lay and mused of those things,
she thought she could hear a sweet voice whispering in her ear,
"Berty lives, and you will meet him once again." And, as if in
response to the voice, she said in her own mind, "I know he lives;
but it may be in that bright world where, unencumbered with these
mortal frames, we roam amid ever-enduring scenes." The voice again
said, "On earth, on earth."
But now they had met. It was no mere vision now, and the truth
flashed upon her mind that that voice she had heard and thought a
dream was not all a dream. And then she mused on as she was wont to
do, and, after relating to us the incident, she said, "May it not be
that much of our life that we have thought passed in dreamland, and
therefore among unreal things, has been spent with actual
existences? For what is an 'unreal thing'? It would not be a 'thing'
had it no existence; and what is the 'it' that we speak of? Can we
not then conclude that there is nothing but what is and must have an
existence, though not so tangible to our senses as to enable us to
handle it or see it? What we call 'imagination' may be, after all,
more real than the hard stones beneath our feet-less indestructible
than they."
Thus she spake, and her theory seemed very plausible to me, though
my friend Jenks, who was an exceedingly precise, matter-of-fact man,
could not see any foundation for the theory.
It was a late hour when Mr. Jenks and myself passed to our homes.
The next day Evelina and her father were coseyly quartered at the
house in which Egbert had boarded.
Mr. Jenks and myself accompanied them to the cars; and, amid our
best wishes for their success, and their countless expressions of
gratitude to us, the train started, and in a few moments the
Disinherited was going to an inheritance which God had provided, and
which lay in rich profusion awaiting their possession.
Our hearts went with them. We could truly say they were worthy God's
blessing; yet we had not need ask him to bestow it upon them; for
their very existence was a proof that he gave it to them.
SPRING.
The farmer opens his barn doors that the warm, fresh breeze may
ramble amid its rafters. The cattle snuff the refreshing winds, that
bear tidings of green fields. The housewife opens door and windows,
and begins to live more without than within.
Let us to the woods. How the old leaves rustle beneath our tread!
Winter bides his cold, wet hand underneath these leaves and
occasionally we feel his chilling touch as we pass along. But from
above the pleasant sunshine comes trickling down between the
branches, and the warm south wind blows cheeringly among the trees.
Didst thou not hear yon swallow sing, Chirp, chirp?--In every note he
seemed to say, "'T is spring, 't is spring."
Up with the window, throw open the closed shutter, let the fresh air
in, and let the housed captive breathe the invigorating elixir of
life; better by far than all your pills and cordials, and more
strengthening than all the poor-man's plasters that have been or
ever will be spread.
The bale and hearty youth, whose clear and boisterous laugh did the
old man good, as he heard it ring forth on the clear air of a
winter's night, has become satiated with the pleasures of
sleigh-rides and merry frolics, and welcomes the spring-time of year
as a man greeteth the return of an old friend from a long journey.
How his bright eye flashes with the joyous soul within him, as he
treads the earth, and beholds the trees put forth their buds, and
hears the warblings of the birds once again, where a few weeks since
winter brooded in silence!
The very beasts of burden and of the field partake of the general
joy; as Thomson says, "Nor undelighted by the boundless spring Are
the broad monsters of the foaming deep From the deep ooze and, gelid
cavern roused, They flounce and tumble in unwieldy joy."
In the country, the farmer is full of work. The ploughs are brought
forth from their winter quarters, the earth is opened, that the warm
sun and refreshing rains may prepare it for use; old fences are
repaired, and new ones made; the housewife brushes up inside and
out, and with the aid of the whitewash every old fence and shed is
made clean and pleasing to the eye.
ONE word for humanity. One word for those who dwell in want around
us. O, ye who know not what it is to hunger, and have naught to meet
your desire; ye who never are cold, with naught to warm your chilled
blood, forget not those who endure all these things. They are your
brethren. They are of the same family as yourself, and have a claim'
upon your love, your sympathy, your kindness.
Live not for yourselves. The world needs to learn this lesson.
Mankind have to learn that only as they bless others are they
themselves blest. It was the fine thought of the good Indian,
Wah-pan-nah, that man should not pile up his dollars,--they may fall
down and crush him,--but spread them out.
"There be dark spot on you brother's path,--go lay dollar there and
make it bright," said he.
And since that suggestion came we have thought it over and over, and
have found it a text for a lifetime of goodness. Go place the bright
dollar in the poor man's hand, and the good you do will be reflected
in rays of gratitude from a smiling face, and fall on you like the
warm sunshine, to cheer and refresh and strengthen your own soul.
There are in this world too many dollars "piled up," and on the
surface we see but the brightness of one. Were these all spread out,
what a wide field of radiant beauty would greet our vision! Instead
of being a useless encumbrance, a care, a constant source of
perplexity to one man, this wealth would make every man comfortable
and happy. It would perform its legitimate work, were it not chained
by avarice,--that canker-worm that destroys the fairest portions of
our social system.
This is the true wealth. This the wealth that rust cannot corrupt.
There is no other real wealth in the universe. Gold and silver,
houses and lands, are not wealth to the longing, aspiring soul of
man. The joy of the spirit, which is the reward of a good deed,
comes a gift from God, a treasure worthy of being garnered into the
storehouse of an immortal being.
There was one spot on earth where joy reigned. It was not in marble
palace; but in a low cot, beneath a roof of thatch.
That was a subject fit for a Raphael's pencil, as she, of form and
feature more angelic than human, sat beside that cottage door, and
her mild blue eye gazed steadfastly up to heaven, and the light of
the moon disclosed to mortal view her calm and beautiful features.
Two hours previous, over a sick and languishing child a mother bowed
with maternal fondness. She pressed her lips to his chilled
forehead, and wiped the cold sweat from his aching brow.
"Be patient, my child," said she; "God will provide." And why did
she bid him "be patient"? None could have been more so; for through
the long hours of that long summer day he had lain there, suffered
and endured all; yet not one sigh had arisen from his breast, not
one complaint had passed his parched lips.
"I know it," said he. And the mother kissed him again, and again
said,
Mother and son! the one sick, the other crushed down with poverty
and sorrow. Yet in this her hour of adversity her trust in the God
of her fathers wavered not; she firmly relied on Him for support,
whom she had never found forgetful of her. The widow and the
fatherless were in that low tenement, and above was the God who had
promised to protect them.
The light of that day's sun had not rested upon food in that
dwelling. Heavily the hours passed by. Each seemed longer than that
which had preceded it.
A rap at the door was heard. She arose and hastened to it. No person
was in sight; but in the moon's bright rays stood a basket, on which
lay a card, stating that it and its contents were for her and her
child, and that on the morrow a nurse and every comfort they might
want would be provided.
She bowed herself beside it, and thanked God for the gift. Then with
a joyful heart she carried it within, and her child's eye sparkled
as he heard the glad news, that He who watcheth the sparrows had not
forgotten them.
Let us return now to that thatched cottage. She, whose mild eye
gazeth up to heaven, whilst passing the door of the famishing mother
and child an hour previous, had heard the words with which that
mother had encouraged her dying son.
With speed the maiden hastened to her home, and from her own limited
store carried forth that basket, and heaven-like bestowed the gift
unseen and unknown, save by Him who seeth and who rewardeth. The
deed of mercy accomplished, she hastened to her home; and now, as
she looks upward, how her eye beams with joy, and her heart breaks
forth in songs of gratitude to Him who made her the instrument of so
much good!
Gold, with all its power, cannot bring joy unless dealt forth with a
willing heart like hers. The king in his palace, whose sceptre's
sway extends over vast dominions, hath no pleasures capable of
rivalling that which, by an act of charity, was brought to the soul
of that young cottage girl.
Reader, whatever your condition, you can possess a joy like hers. If
you have not what men call wealth, with which to help the weak and
desponding, you have a smile of sympathy, a look of kindness, a word
of love. Give those, and you shall know what a blessed thing is
Charity.
NOW CLOSE THE BOOK.
NOW close the book. Each page hath done its part,
Each thought hath left its impress on the heart.
O, may it be that naught hath here been traced
That after years may wish to have effaced!
O, may it be Humanity hath won
Some slight bestowment by the task now done!
If struggling Right hath found one cheering word,
If Hope hath in desponding heart been stirred,
If Sorrow hath from one lone soul been driven
By one kind word of Sympathy here given,
Then in my soul a living joy shall dwell,
Brighter than art can paint or language tell.
Yes, close the book: the story and the song
Have each been said, and sung. I see the throng
Of gentle ministrants who've led my pen
Withdraw their aid. I hear the word, Amen.
And now to you, who have been with me through
The "Town and Country," I must bid adieu.
The Project Gutenberg Etext of Town and Country, or, Life at Home and Abroad
by John S. Adams
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